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

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

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

The ship's bell was struck with a muffled marlinespike as Stirling stood in patient idleness.

From The Ice Pilot by Leverage, Henry

That shover man let out a hair-raisin' yell, hauled the nickel marlinespike over in its rack, and squeezed a rubber bag that was spliced to the steerin' wheel.

From The Depot Master by Lincoln, Joseph Crosby

Its maker named it a knife; as a matter of fact, the knife part was worthless; but snugly and cunningly fitted into the stout buckhorn handle was a serviceable file, a hacksaw, and a marlinespike.

From Gold Out of Celebes by Dingle, Aylward Edward