merlin Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (Arthurian legend) the magician who acted as King Arthur's advisor
  2. noun small falcon of Europe and America having dark plumage with black-barred tail; used in falconry
    pigeon hawk; Falco columbarius.

WordNet

Mer"lin noun
Etymology
OE. merlion, F. émerillon ; cf. OHG. smirl, G. schmerl ; prob. fr. L. merula blackbird. Cf. Merle.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) A small European falcon (Falco lithofalco, or F. æsalon).

Webster 1913