marline

or mar·lin, mar·ling

[ mahr-lin ]

noun

, Nautical.

1. small stuff of two-fiber strands, sometimes tarred, laid up left-handed.

marline

/ ˈmɑːlɪn; ˈmɑːlɪŋ /

noun

1. nautical a light rope, usually tarred, made of two strands laid left-handed

Word History and Origins

Origin of marline¹

First recorded in 1375–1425, marline is from the late Middle English word merlin. See marl ², line ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of marline¹

C15: from Dutch marlijn, from marren to tie + lijn line

Example Sentences

These had been roasted in the fire until tough and flexible, and when thus treated they formed a good substitute for the white sailor's marline or the cow-boy's picket rope.

From Project Gutenberg

“If he does that, I may be tempted to use a marline spike on him.”

From Project Gutenberg

Boyce constructed a formidable battery of two guns made from stalks of sugar-cane, wound with marline and mounted upon small trucks.

From Project Gutenberg

"Somebody handed him a marline spike, sir," interrupted Hickey.

From Project Gutenberg

Afterwards he had peddled his gear little by little, dining one day off a riding-light, going to a theatre the next on two marline spikes and a sister-block, and so on.

From Project Gutenberg