I. R ˈmärl, chiefly before pause or consonant -rəl, - R ˈmȧl noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French marle, from Medieval Latin margila, diminutive of Latin marga, from Gaulish
1. : a loose or crumbling earthy deposit that contains chiefly calcium carbonate or dolomite: as
a. : calcareous sand, silt, or clay ; also : a deposit of unconsolidated shells
b. : a calcareous deposit in a glacial lake
2. : clay , earth
a clod of wayward marl — Shakespeare
3. : a brick made of marl
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English marlen, from marl, n.
: to overspread, manure, or dress with marl : fertilize with or as if with marl
III. intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: by contraction
now dialect : marvel
IV. noun
( -s )
Etymology: by contraction
now dialect : marvel
V. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Dutch marlen, back-formation from marling marline — more at marline
: to cover or fasten with marline making a hitch at each turn to prevent unwinding
VI. noun
( -s )
Etymology: by contraction
now dialect Britain : marble I
VII. noun
( -s )
Etymology: origin unknown
: a delicate fiber obtained from peacock feathers and used in making artificial flies
VIII. noun
( -s )
Etymology: native name in Australia
: a slender grayish brown bandicoot ( Perameles myosura ) of western Australia with a long nose and long thin ears