2. [Cf. F. merlette.] (Her.) A bird without beak or feet; -- generally assumed to represent a martin. As a mark of cadency it denotes the fourth son. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
martlet — [märt′lit] n. [Fr martelet, prob. < martinet, dim. of martin] 1. the Old World house martin 2. Heraldry a representation of a bird without feet, used as a crest or bearing … English World dictionary
Martlet — Note that the British version of the Grumman F4F Wildcat was initially called the Martlet. A martlet as used on the coat of arms of McGill University. A martlet is a heraldic charge depicting a stylized bird (martlet being the diminutive of… … Wikipedia
Martlet House — on Rue Peel. Martlet House, formerly the Montreal headquarters of Seagram Company Ltd., is a Scottish baronial style building on Peel Street in Montreal, Quebec. The building was completed in 1928 by architect David Jerome Spence, with additions… … Wikipedia
martlet — noun Etymology: alteration of martinet, from Middle French, probably from Saint Martin Date: 15th century martin 1 … New Collegiate Dictionary
martlet — /mahrt lit/, n. 1. Brit. Dial. a house martin. 2. Heraldry. a representation of a swallow close and without legs, used esp. as the cadency mark of a fourth son. [1530 40; < MF martelet, var. of martinet; see MARTIN, ET] * * * … Universalium
martlet — noun A mythical bird, often used in heraldry, which possessed no feet … Wiktionary
Martlet — 1 [martinet]. Indiscriminately a swallow, swift or (house) martin. Cf. next 2) Her. A bird without legs or feet, used as a *charge; the *cadency of a fourth son. This notional bird is shown without feet or legs because the swift and swallow were… … Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases
martlet — [ mα:tlɪt] noun Heraldry a bird similar to a swallow but without feet, borne as a charge or a mark of cadency for a fourth son. Origin ME (denoting a swift): from OFr. merlet, influenced by martinet (see martin) … English new terms dictionary
martlet — mart·let … English syllables
martlet — mart•let [[t]ˈmɑrt lɪt[/t]] n. orn brit. a martin, esp. the European house martin Delichon urbica[/ex] • Etymology: 1530–40; < MF martelet, alter. of martinet … From formal English to slang
