merlin

UK: 'Merlin', 'merlin': /ˈmɜːlɪn/

US: 'Merlin', 'merlin': (mûr′lin)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

mer•lin  (mûr′lin), n. 

1. Birds a small, bold falcon, Falco columbarius, of the Northern Hemisphere. Also called pigeon hawk. 

• Gmc; akin to German Schmerl, Old Norse smyrill
• Anglo-French merilun, Old French esmerillon, diminutive of esmeril
• Middle English merlioun, merlone 1350–1400

Mer•lin  (mûr′lin), n. 

1. Literature [Arthurian Romance.] a venerable magician and seer.
2. a male given name.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

merlin / ˈmɜːlɪn/ noun

1. a small falcon, Falco columbarius, that has a dark plumage with a black-barred tail: used in falconry

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French esmerillon, from esmeril, of Germanic origin

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Merlin / ˈmɜːlɪn/ noun

1. (in Arthurian legend) a wizard and counsellor to King Arthur eternally imprisoned in a tree by a woman to whom he revealed his secret craft