[mar.tin.gale] n [MF] (1589) 1: a device for steadying a horse's head or checking its upward movement that typically consists of a strap fastened to the girth, passing between the forelegs, and bifurcating to end in two rings through which the reins pass
2. a: a lower stay of rope or chain for the jibboom used to sustain the strain of the forestays and fastened to or rove through the dolphin striker b: dolphin striker
3: any of several systems of betting in which a player increases the stake usu. by doubling each time a bet is lost