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marlinespike

[ mahr-lin-spahyk ]
/ ˈmɑr lɪnˌspaɪk /
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noun Nautical.
a pointed iron implement used in separating the strands of rope in splicing, marling, etc.
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Also mar·lin·spike, mar·ling·spike [mahr-ling-spahyk]. /ˈmɑr lɪŋˌspaɪk/.

Origin of marlinespike

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

Words nearby marlinespike

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for marlinespike

marlinespike

marlinspike less commonly marlingspike (ˈmɑːlɪŋˌspaɪk)

/ (ˈmɑːlɪnˌspaɪk) /

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
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