Main Entry:

mer·lin

Pronunciation:

\ˈmər-lən\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English merlioun, from Anglo-French merilun, alteration of esmerilun, augmentative of Old French esmeril, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German smiril merlin

Date:

14th century

: a small compact falcon (Falco columbarius) of the northern hemisphere having a broad dark terminal band on the tail and upperparts that are slate blue in males and brown in females