(mär′tən) noun
1. Any of certain birds of the swallow family, having a tail less forked than the common swallows; specifically, the purple martin (Progne subis), the sand martin or bank swallow (Riparia riparia), etc.
2. Some bird likened to a true martin, as a kingbird or chimney swift. [<F, prob. <Martin MARTIN]

(mär′tən; Fr. már·ta′, Ger. mär′tēn)
A masculine personal name. Also Mar·tyn (mär′tən), Du. Mar·tijn (mär′tīn), Pg. Mar·ti·nho (mär·tē′nyoo), Ital., Sp. Mar·ti·no (mär·tē′nō), Lat. Mar·ti·nus (mär·tī′nəs). [<L Martinus warlike]
—Martin, Saint,
315?–399?, bishop of Tours. See MARTINMAS.

(mär′tən), Homer Dodge,
1836–97, U.S. painter.