Mer´rylegs, a highly trained, performing dog, belonging to Signor Jupe, clown in Sleary’s circus. This dog leaves the circus when his master disappears, but several years afterwards finds its way back and dies.—C. Dickens, Hard Times (1854).
Merthyr Tydvil, a corruption of Martyr St. Tidfil, a Welsh princess who suffered martyrdom.
Merton (Tommy), one of the chief characters in Sanford and Merton, a tale for boys, by Thomas Day (1783-9).
Merton (Tristram). Thomas Babington Macaulay (Lord Macaulay), so signs the ballads and sketches which he inserted in Knight’s Quarterly Magazine.
Mertoun (Basil), alias Vaughan, formerly a pirate.
Mordaunt Mertoun, son of Basil Mertoun. He marries Brenda Troil.—Sir W. Scott, The Pirate (time, William III.).
Merveilleuse [Mair.vay.´uze], the sword of Doolin of Mayence. It was so sharp that, if placed edge downwards on a block of wood, it would cut through it of itself.
Mervett (Gustavus de), in Charles XII., an historical drama by J. R. Planché (1826).
Mervyn (Mr. Arthur), guardian of Julia Mannering.—Sir W. Scott, Guy Mannering (time, George II.).
Messali´na, wife of the Emperor Claudius of Rome. Her name is a by-word for incontinency (A.D. *-48).