marl

Alternative forms

• marle

Etymology

From Old French marle from Late Latin marglia, diminutive of marga (“marl”).^[1]

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) enPR: mäl, IPA^(key): /mɑːl/
• (General American) enPR: märl, IPA^(key): /mɑɹl/
• Rhymes: -ɑː(ɹ)l

Noun

marl (countable and uncountable, plural marls)

1. A mixed earthy substance, consisting of carbonate of lime, clay, and possibly sand, in very variable proportions, and accordingly designated as calcareous, clayey, or sandy.
   • 1955, Robert Herman Bogue, The chemistry of portland cement, page 39:

     Important marl and marine-shell deposits are worked in Michigan, Virginia, and Florida.

   • 2004, Peter Porter, “Why Did Dante Pick on Suicides”, in Afterburner:

     Those loved unhappy shades whom Dante turned / To sticks and marl

Verb

marl (third-person singular simple present marls, present participle marling, simple past and past participle marled)

1. To cover, as part of a rope, with marline, marking a peculiar hitch at each turn to prevent unwinding.

References

Anagrams

• RAML