merlion

Meanings

1. Often Merlion: a symbolic creature having the head of a lion and the body of a fish, which is a national symbol of Singapore; an image, statue, or other depiction of this creature.
2. A fictional creature of similar make-up.

1. A depiction of a bird similar to a house martin or swallow with stylized feet; a martlet.
2. Alternative form of merlin (“a small falcon, Falco columbarius”).

1. Alternative letter-case form of merlion (“imaginary creature that is a national symbol of Singapore”).

Etymology

From mer- + lion; sense 1 promoted by the Singapore Tourism Board as the name of a statue installed at the mouth of the Singapore River on 15 September 1972.