Middle English Dictionary Entry
alerion n.
Entry Info
| Forms | alerion n. |
| Etymology | OF and (especially) MF alérion. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A variety of raptor supposedly lacking feet; -- confused with or inspired by the heraldic representation of such a bird known as a martlet.
Associated quotations
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)68/6 : Beleve is by ensaumple comparable to a byrde callid alerion or a merlion, which hath no feete to go on the grounde, but all hir movyng is on hir wynges.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Cp. merlete (OED merlette), merlioun (OED merlion n.1), alongside OED alerion. For the French, see DMF ALÉRION, subst. masc., with examples from the 14th century on; T-L : alerïon ; Godefroy : alerion ; FEW XV-1, 2a : *aðalaro ; TLF : II, 480b : alérion.