any of several swallows having a deeply forked tail and long, pointed wings.
Compare house martin, purple martin.
Origin of martin
1425–75; late Middle English (Scots ) martoune; presumably generic use of the personal name (<French <Late Latin Martīnus), traditionally by association with March (Latin Mārtius), when the bird arrives, and Martinmas, when it leaves; though Middle English, Old French martinet has been applied to a variety of birds; compare French martin-pêcheur kingfisher
Words nearby martin
Martí, martial, martial art, martial law, Martian, martin, Martina, Martin du Gard, Martineau, Martinelli, martinet
Definition for martin (2 of 2)
Martin
[ mahr-tn ]
/ ˈmɑr tn /
noun
Ar·cher John Porter[ahr-cher], /ˈɑr tʃər/, 1910–2002, English biochemist: Nobel Prize in chemistry 1952.
Frank, 1890–1974, Swiss composer.
Glenn Luther, 1886–1955, U.S. airplane designer and manufacturer.
Homer Dodge, 1836–97, U.S. painter.
Joseph W(illiam) Jr., 1884–1968, U.S. political leader and publisher: Speaker of the House 1947–49, 1953–55.
Mary, 1913–90, U.S. actress and musical comedy star.
Saint, a.d. 316?–397, French prelate: bishop of Tours 370?–397.
a male given name: from the name of the Roman god Mars.
If 295 Martin expected it to be greeted with surprise, he was disappointed.
The Wall Between|Sara Ware Bassett
Mr. Martin is generally thought of as a critic of social rather than political conditions.
Literature in the Making|Various
I did not like this kind of an expedition, and said so to Martin, who was next to me.
Ben Comee|M. J. (Michael Joseph) Canavan
British Dictionary definitions for martin (1 of 2)
martin
/ (ˈmɑːtɪn) /
noun
any of various swallows of the genera Progne, Delichon, Riparia, etc, having a square or slightly forked tailSee also house martin
Word Origin for martin
C15: perhaps from St Martin, because the birds were believed to migrate at the time of Martinmas
British Dictionary definitions for martin (2 of 2)
Martin
/ (ˈmɑːtɪn) /
noun
Archer John Porter. 1910–2002, British biochemist; Nobel prize for chemistry 1952 (with Richard Synge; 1914–94) for developing paper chromatography (1944). He subsequently developed gas chromatography (1953)
Chris(topher Anthony John) . born 1977, British rock musician, lead singer of Coldplay; married to the US actress Gwyneth Paltrow.
(Frenchmartɛ̃) Frank. 1890–1974, Swiss composer. He used a modified form of the twelve-note technique in some of his works, which include Petite Symphonie Concertante (1946) and the oratorio Golgotha (1949)
Sir George (Henry). born 1926, British record producer and arranger, noted for his work with the Beatles
John. 1789–1854, British painter, noted for his visionary landscapes and large-scale works with biblical subjects
Michael (John). Baron. born 1945, Scottish Labour politician; speaker of the House of Commons (2000–09)
Paul (Edgar Philippe). born 1938, Canadian Liberal politician; prime minister of Canada (2003–06)
Saint. called Saint Martin of Tours. ?316–?397 ad, bishop of Tours (?371–?397); a patron saint of France. He furthered monasticism in Gaul. Feast day: Nov 11 or 12
Steve (n). born 1945, US film actor and comedian; his films include The Jerk (1979), Roxanne (1987), and Bowfinger) (1999)