marl

¹

[ mahrl ]

noun

1. Geology. a friable earthy deposit consisting of clay and calcium carbonate, used especially as a fertilizer for soils deficient in lime.
2. Archaic. earth.

verb (used with object)

1. to fertilize with marl.

marl

²

[ mahrl ]

verb (used with object)

, Nautical.

1. to wind (a rope) with marline, every turn being secured by a hitch.

marl

¹

/ mɑːˈleɪʃəs; mɑːl /

noun

1. a fine-grained sedimentary rock consisting of clay minerals, calcite or aragonite, and silt: used as a fertilizer

verb

1. tr to fertilize (land) with marl

marl

²

/ mɑːl /

verb

1. nautical to seize (a rope) with marline, using a hitch at each turn

marl

/ märl /

1. A crumbly mixture of clays, calcium and magnesium carbonates, and remnants of shells that forms in both freshwater and marine environments.

Derived Forms

• marlacious, adjective

Other Words From

• mar·la·cious [mahr-, ley, -sh, uh, s], marly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of marl¹

1325–75; Middle English marle < Middle Dutch < Old French < Medieval Latin margila, diminutive of Latin marga, said to be < Gaulish

Origin of marl²

1400–50; late Middle English marlyn to ensnare; akin to Old English mārels cable. See moor ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of marl¹

C14: via Old French, from Late Latin margila, diminutive of Latin marga

Origin of marl²

C15 marlyn to bind; related to Dutch marlen to tie, Old English mārels cable

Example Sentences

Even one of the first breakout female rappers, Roxanne Shanté, came up under the aegis of Marley Marl and the Juice Crew.

From Los Angeles Times

So many fit the man-child: “light of brain,” “clod of wayward marl,” “bolting-hutch of beastliness,” but specifically to his inability to speak the truth there’s the perfect “infinite and endless liar, an hourly promise-breaker.”

From Salon

The Juice Crew, basically their headquarters was Queensbridge, so listening to Marley Marl's "Mix Show," I first heard Biz on that show.

From Salon

Florida-based veteran Barbie doll dealer Marl Davidson said prices have climbed about 25% in recent months.

From Reuters

They were taken to a detention centre and released on bail, local newspaper the Cayman Marl Road reported.

From BBC

Related Words

• clay
• coast
• dirt
• dust
• gravel
• land
• mud
• sand
• shore
• surface
• terrain
• turf