|
MERLIN
|
|
Gender: Masculine
Usage: Welsh Mythology, English
Pronounced: MUR-lin (English) [key]
|
|
Form of the Welsh name Myrddin (meaning "sea fortress") used by Geoffrey of Monmouth in his 12th-century Arthurian tales. He likely chose the form Merlinus over Merdinus in order to prevent associations with French merde "excrement". In the earliest legends Myrddin is a prophetic madman who lives in the Caledonian Forest, but in later tales Merlin is a wizard, the sorcerer and counselor for King Arthur. |
|
|
