Lexic.us

Definition of Martlet

1. n. The European house martin.

Definition of Martlet

1. Noun. A mythical bird, often used in heraldry, which possessed no feet. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Martlet

1. a martin [n -S] - See also: martin

Medical Definition of Martlet

1. 1. The European house martin. A bird without beak or feet; generally assumed to represent a martin. As a mark of cadency it denotes the fourth son. Origin: F. Martinet. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Martlet

Literary usage of Martlet

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. An Ordinary of Arms Contained in the Public Register of All Arms and by James Balfour Paul (1893)
"Arg. a martlet between three quatrefoils sa., on a chief purpure three garbs or. ... Az. a martlet between three mullets arg. within a double tressure flory ..."

2. English Heraldry by Charles Boutell (1867)
"The favourite bird, however, of the early Heralds is the martlet, ... The martlet is always represented in profile, at rest, and with its wings closed. ..."

3. Transactions of the Philological Society by Philological Society (Great Britain). (1887)
"martlet as a variant of martinet ; for Cotgrave explains the F. martinet by ' a martlet, ... But as to the heraldic martlet, there is much difficulty. ..."

4. Fictitious & Symbolic Creatures in Art with Special Reference to Their Use by John Vinycomb (1906)
"... The guest of summer, The temple-haunting martlet." " Macbeth." THE martlet (Merlette or ..."

Other Resources: