Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

marlinspike

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.51 in modern English

Syllables: mar-lin-spike
IPA

19

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

3

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A tool, consisting of a pointed metal spike, used to manipulate the strands of rope or cable when knotting and splicing.

Example Sentences

"[…] the afterguard, of whom they have but a sorry opinion, chiefly landsmen, never going aloft except to reef or furl the mainsail and in no wise competent to handle a marlinspike or turn in a dead-eye, say."
"There was / that interval of moonless calm filled only / with the water's and the rigging's usual sounds, / then sudden movement, blows and snarling cries / and they had fallen on us with machete / and marlinspike."

Etymology

From marline + spike.

Inflected Forms

marlinspikes (plural) marlin spike (alternative) marlinespike (alternative) marline spike (alternative) marlingspike (alternative) marling spike (alternative)

Synonyms

marlinespike marlingspike

Questions

What does marlinspike mean?: A tool, consisting of a pointed metal spike, used to manipulate the strands of rope or cable when knotting and splicing.
Where does marlinspike come from?: From marline + spike.

How to pronounce marlinspike

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