n. Any of several large marine fishes of the genera Makaira and Tetrapturus, which have an elongated spearlike upper jaw and are highly valued as game fish. [Short for MARLINESPIKE (from the pointed shape of the snout).] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
n. Nautical A light rope made of two loosely twisted strands. [Middle English, from Middle Dutch marlijn, alteration (influenced by lijn, line) of marling, from marren, to tie.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.