merle
/mɜrl/
noun
- A blackbird, especially the common blackbird (Turdus merula).
- In the poem, the merle's song heralds the arrival of spring.
- A merle perched on the fence and sang a beautiful melody.
- Children learned to identify the merle by its glossy black feathers.
adjective
- Describing a coat pattern in dogs (especially collies, Shetland sheepdogs, and Great Danes) that is mottled or marbled with patches of darker color on a lighter background.
- Her puppy had a beautiful blue merle coloration with gray and black patches.
- The merle coat pattern gives the dog a striking, dappled appearance.
- Breeders must be careful when mating two merle dogs to avoid health issues.
Antonyms