martin

mar·tin

noun \ˈmär-t^ən\

Definition of MARTIN

1

: a small Eurasian bird (Delichon urbica) of the swallow family with a forked tail, bluish-black head and back, and white rump and underparts

2

: any of various birds (especially genus Progne) of the swallow family other than the Eurasian martin — compare purple martin

Origin of MARTIN

probably from St. Martin

First Known Use: 1589

Rhymes with MARTIN

Barton, carton, hearten, marten, smarten, Spartan, tartan

Mar·tin

biographical name \ˈmär-t^ən, mär-ˈtaⁿ\

Definition of MARTIN

Saint ca 316–397 Martin of Tours patron saint of France

Mar·tin

biographical name \ˈmär-t^ən\

Definition of MARTIN

Archer John Porter 1910–2002 British chem.

Martin

biographical name

Definition of MARTIN

Glenn Luther 1886–1955 Am. airplane manuf.

Martin

biographical name

Definition of MARTIN

Joseph William 1884–1968 Am. publisher & polit.

Mar·tin

biographical name \ˈmär-t^ən, mär-ˈtaⁿ\

Definition of MARTIN

Paul (Edgar Philippe) 1938–     prime min. of Canada (2003–06)

martin

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of several species of songbirds in the family Hirundinidae. In the U.S., the name refers to the purple martin (Progne subis), at 8 in. (20 cm) long, the largest U.S. swallow. The sand martin, or bank swallow (Riparia riparia), a 5-in. (12-cm) brown-and-white bird, breeds throughout the Northern Hemisphere, nesting in sandbank burrows. The house martin (Delichon urbica), blue-black above and white-rumped, is common in Europe. The African river martin (Pseudochelidon eurystomina) of the Congo is black, with red eyes and bill.