marlinespike

[mahr-lin-spahyk]

noun Nautical.

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

Also mar·lin·spike, mar·ling·spike

[mahr-ling-spahyk] /ˈmɑr lɪŋˌspaɪk/.

Origin of marlinespike

1620–30; orig. marling spike. See marl², -ing¹, spike¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for marlinespike

marlinespike

marlinspike less commonly marlingspike (ˈmɑːlɪŋˌspaɪk)

noun

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012