Merulid
/ˈmɛr.jʊ.lɪd/noun
A bird belonging to the former or taxonomic family Merulidae, especially a thrush or blackbird.
Did you know?The Latin word merula meant “blackbird,” and its descendants influenced both scientific bird names and the heraldic term merle for a stylized bird.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
merula
“Blackbird; the common blackbird, Turdus merula”
Medieval Latin
Medieval Latin
Merula
“A scientific or learned form used for the blackbird and related birds”
Middle French
Old French
merle
“Blackbird; later also a heraldic bird figure”
16th Century
English
merle
“A blackbird, and in heraldry a small stylized bird shown without feet or beak”
19th Century
Scientific Latin
Merulidae
“A taxonomic family name formed from the genus Merula with the zoological suffix -idae”
Modern English
English
merulid
“A member of Merulidae, especially a thrush or blackbird”