merlin1
/ˈməːlɪn
/noun
A small dark falcon that hunts small birds, found throughout most of Eurasia and North America.
- Falco columbarius, family Falconidae.
- They include pine marten, wildcat, stoat and weasel as well as golden eagles, merlin, peregrine falcon, golden plover and in time black grouse and capercaillie.
- Fall, of course, is the best time to see migrants: peregrine falcons, merlins, and flocks of tree swallows at Assateague; northern gannets just offshore; and plenty of Canadian and snow geese soaring above.
Origin
Late Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French merilun, from Old French esmerillon, augmentative of esmeril, of Germanic origin; related to German Schmerl.
Rhymes
Merlin2
/ˈməːlɪn/(In Arthurian legend) a magician who aided and supported King Arthur.