See Also: marlinspike(dictionary)

marlinspike (iou)



marlinspike noun. . E17.
[App. from marling pres. pple of MARL verb2 + SPIKE noun2, the 1st elem. being later interpreted as MARLINE Cf. MARLIN noun2.]
Nautical. A pointed iron tool used to lift the strands of rope in splicing, as a lever in marling, etc.