marl

English

Alternative forms

• marle

Pronunciation

• (RP) enPR: mäl, IPA: /mɑːl/, SAMPA: /mA:l/
• (GenAm) enPR: märl, IPA: /mɑrl/, SAMPA: /mArl/

  Rhymes: -ɑː(r)l

Noun

marl (uncountable)

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

Derived terms

• marlaceous
• marler
• marlite
• marlpit
• marlstone
• marly

Translations

a mixed earthy substance

Italian: marna (it) f.

See also

• greensand

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.

Translations

to cover with marline

French: marner (fr) Italian: marnare (it)