martlet en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /ˈmɑɹt.lət/ (General-American)
- /ˈmɑːt.lət/ (Received-Pronunciation)
Etymology
From Middle English martilet, probably a blend of martinet (“martin”; from Middle French martinet and Medieval Latin martineta) and Middle French merlet.
Meanings
-
(obsolete) A bird, the martin.
“As in a drought the thirsty creatures cry, And gape upon the gather'd clouds for rain; Then, first, the Martlet meets it in the sky, And, with wet wings, joys all the feather'd train.”
1862, William Tiler, The Natural History of Birds, Beasts, Fishes, Serpents, Insects, &c:
- A depiction of a bird similar to a house martin or swallow with stylized feet.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| martlets | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Relateds
Synonyms
Translations (12)
pt merleta (depiction of a mythological bird) · sv martlet (depiction of a mythological bird) · fr merlette (depiction of a mythological bird) · sv merlett (depiction of a mythological bird) · it merlotto (depiction of a mythological bird) · es merleta (depiction of a mythological bird) · ru мартлет (depiction of a mythological bird) · fi jalaton pääsky (depiction of a mythological bird) · gl merleta (depiction of a mythological bird) · koi джыдж (depiction of a mythological bird) · nl merlet (depiction of a mythological bird) · de Merlette (depiction of a mythological bird)