Martlet
/ˈmɑːt.lət/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A bird, the martin. obsolete
"“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 A depiction of a bird similar to a house martin or swallow with stylized feet.
Example
More examples"“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.”"
Etymology
From Middle English martilet, probably a blend of martinet (“martin”; from Middle French martinet and Medieval Latin martineta) and Middle French merlet.