marlinspike
/ˈmɑːlɪnspʌɪk
/noun
A pointed metal tool used by sailors to separate strands of rope or wire.There's no technobabbling about phased inducers or flux capacitors or what-have-you; the ‘space-ships’ are gorgeously retro, with sails and masts and marlinspikes....
- A screaming sailor, clad in a sodden loincloth and wielding a marlinspike, leaps at him.
- This knot is used to temporarily secure a marlinspike, a device used to splice rope, to another object.
Origin
Early 17th century (originally as marling spike): from marling, present participle of marl 'fasten with marline' (from Dutch marlen 'keep binding') + spike1.