martlet
nounUK /ˈmɑːt.lət/ · US /ˈmɑɹt.lət/
Etymology From Middle English martilet, probably a blend of martinet (“martin”; from Middle French martinet and Medieval Latin martineta) and Middle French merlet.
1
Obsolete A bird, the martin.
- “As in a drought the thirsty creatures cry, And gape upon the gather'd clouds for rain; Then, first, the Martlet meets it in the sky, And, with wet wings, joys all the feather'd train.”1862, William Tiler, The Natural History of Birds, Beasts, Fishes, Serpents, Insects, &c:
2
Government, Heraldry, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Monarchy, Nobility, Politics A depiction of a bird similar to a house martin or swallow with stylized feet.