martin

B2 Topic:Animals
US /ˈmɑɹ.tɪn/ UK /ˈmɑː.tɪn/
noun Freq #1478

Meanings

  1. 1
    noun

    a swallow-like bird with long pointed wings that catches insects while flying

    House martins built their mud nests beneath the eaves.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 noun · a swallow-like bird with... swallow
Word family
Forms house-martinsmartins
Related forms house martinpurple martinsand martinswallow

Etymology

The bird name came into English through Middle English and Old French martin, apparently from the personal name Martin. That name descends from Latin Martinus, 'of Mars.' Why the personal name was applied to the bird is uncertain.

Topics

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