martlet

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English[edit]

A martlet as depicted in English heraldry, here with tincture sable

Etymology[edit]

From Middle English martilet, probably a blend of martinet (“martin”; from Middle French martinet and Medieval Latin martineta[1]) and Middle French merlet.[2]

Noun[edit]

martlet (plural martlets)

  1. (obsolete) A bird, the martin.
    • 1862, William Tiler, The Natural History of Birds, Beasts, Fishes, Serpents, Insects, &c:
      “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.”
  2. (heraldry) A depiction of a bird similar to a house martin or swallow with stylized feet.

Synonyms[edit]

Translations[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ “martinet, n.(1)”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.
  2. ^ “martlet, n.2”, in OED Online Paid subscription required⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.

Further reading[edit]

Anagrams[edit]

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