marl

views updated Jun 11 2018

marl1 / märl/ • n. an unconsolidated sedimentary rock or soil consisting of clay and lime, formerly used typically as fertilizer.• v. [tr.] (often be marled) apply marl to.DERIVATIVES: marl·y adj.marl2 • v. Naut. fasten with marline or other light rope; wind marline around (a rope), securing it with a half hitch at each turn.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

marl

views updated May 08 2018

marl A pelagic or hemipelagic sediment (an arl), typically found interbedded with purer oozes in beds up to 1.5 m thick, with a composition intermediate between a non-biogenic sediment and a calcareous or siliceous ooze. It is 30% clay and 70% microfossils, at least 15% of its volume being siliceous microfossils. Compare SARL; and SMARL.

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY

marl

views updated May 18 2018

marl Lime-rich clay, usually found as an alluvial deposit and containing a high proportion of soft calcium carbonate. See also maerl.

A Dictionary of Ecology MICHAEL ALLABY

marl

views updated May 18 2018

marl Lime-rich clay, usually found as an alluvial deposit and containing a high proportion of soft calcium carbonate.

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences MICHAEL ALLABY

marl

views updated May 11 2018

marl kind of clayey soil. XIV. — OF. marle :- medL. margila, f. L. marga.
Hence vb. XIV.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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Marl (city)

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