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

See Examples For:

marline

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 Sir Edward Belcher

The wire used was generally as thick as sailor's marline stuff, or two twisted rope-yarns.

From The Old Front Line by John Masefield

Having little idea of feminine adaptations, she pilfered whatever came handy:—iron hooks, dollars, bolts, hatchets, and stopping not at balls of marline and sheets of copper.

From Mardi: and A Voyage Thither, Vol. I by Herman Melville

That ar marline spike didn’t hurt his weather eye.

From Killykinick by Mary T. (Mary Theresa) Waggaman

The next point to be considered is, that all the ``small stuffs'' which are used on board a ship— such as spun-yarn, marline, seizing-stuff, &c., &c.— are made on board.

From Two Years Before the Mast by Richard Henry Dana