n.
Pronunciation: ' m ə r-l ə n
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