marline

American  

[mahr-lin] / ˈmɑr lɪn /

Or marlin,

noun

Nautical.

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

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marline British  

/ ˈmɑːlɪn, ˈmɑːlɪŋ /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of marline

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

Example Sentences

Each left a hook in the knot of the inner buntline, as he went out, and dropped the ball of marline on deck.

From Homeward Bound or, the Chase by Cooper, James Fenimore

A frame is made after the manner of a saw-horse, with a double top, and tarred or marline twine is used for securing the strands of straw.

From Manual of Gardening (Second Edition) by Bailey, L. H. (Liberty Hyde)

Immediately abaft the forecastle ladder was the cable stage where hawsers, cable-chains, tar-barrels, tar-pots, tar-brushes, marline spikes, serving-mallets, cork-fenders, water-casks and other spare gear were stowed.

From The Shellback's Progress In the Nineteenth Century by Runciman, Walter

To wind marline, spun-yarn, twine, &c., about a rope, so that every turn is secured by a kind of knot, and remains fixed, in case the rest should be cut through by friction.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir

The term for spun-yarn, marline, and the smallest kinds of rope, even for yarns.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir