▪ I. merlion, marlion Her.
(ˈmɜː-, ˈmɑːlɪən)
[Perh. orig. a use of merlion, marlion, variants of merlin1, but in the extant heraldic instances misapplied owing to association with F. merlette: see martlet, marlet.]
A heraldic bird, figured either as identical with the heraldic martlet 2, or with the merlette of French heraldry, which is depicted as having neither feet nor beak.
It is doubtful whether merlyons in the first quot. refers to embroidered figures of heraldic ‘merlions’ or of merlins, or whether it is not a wholly distinct word; in the latter case cf. med.L. merlinus, a hood worn by canons (Du Cange).
| 1553 Inv. Ch. Surrey (1869) 155 A sute of vestementes with merlyons solde for xx8. Ibid., A cope of velvit with marlyons solde for xx8. 1610 J. Guillim Heraldry iii. xvii. 159 He beareth Gules fiue Marlions wings in Saltire Argent. 1828–40 Berry Encycl. Herald. I, Merlette or Merlion, an heraldic term used by French heralds for the martlet, but which they represent without beak, thighs, or legs. 1874 Papworth's Ord. Brit. Armorials 42/1 Sa. three marlions sinister wings displ. arg. 1889 Elvin Dict. Heraldry s.v. Marlions, Two Marlions wings conjoined and expanded. Merlet, Merlette or Merlion, a Martlet. |
▪ II. merlio(u)n
variants of merlin1.