marlinespike

American  

[mahr-lin-spahyk] / ˈmɑr lɪnˌspaɪk /

Also marlinspike,

noun

Nautical.

1. a pointed iron implement used in separating the strands of rope in splicing, marling, etc.

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marlinespike British  

/ ˈmɑːlɪnˌspaɪk, ˈmɑːlɪŋˌspaɪk /

noun

1. nautical a pointed metal tool used as a fid, spike, and for various other purposes

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Etymology

Origin of marlinespike

1620–30; originally marling spike. See marl ², -ing ¹, spike ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

marlinespike

The Academy's first Cuban student, he graduated 126th among 467 in the class of 1920, and was more noted for his "silken line" with debutantes than for marlinespike seamanship.

From Time Magazine Archive

Last week, when the imprisoned officer was paroled in time for Christmas, the Navy sank its marlinespike even deeper by dunning him for $3,777.

From Time Magazine Archive

Wherever it was, the rusty marlinespike had disappeared.

From The Stolen Singer by Bellinger, Martha Idell Fletcher

He released his daughter, yanked the marlinespike away from Otie, who had been holding himself in the background as a reserve force, and stamped to the rail.

From Blow The Man Down A Romance Of The Coast - 1916 by Day, Holman

Now and then the mates ordered me to do some little job or other, to fetch a swab or a marlinespike, or to hold a paint-pot, but they in no other way noticed me.

From Old Jack by Kingston, William Henry Giles