martlemas

[MARTIN MAS.] mart-lět, s . [A corrupt. of martinet (1.).] *1. Ord . Lang .: A martin. "The fool multitude that.. like the martlet , Builds in the weather on the outward wall." Shakesp.: Merchant of Venice , ii. 9. 2. Her .: A fanciful bird shaped like a martin or swallow, but represented with short tufts of feathers in the place of legs. It is the difference or distinction of a fourth son. mart-nět, s. (MARTINET, 3.]