marl Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a loose and crumbling earthy deposit consisting mainly of calcite or dolomite; used as a fertilizer for soils deficient in lime

WordNet

Marl transitive verb
Etymology
See Marline.
Definitions
  1. (Naut.) To cover, as part of a rope, with marline, marking a pecular hitch at each turn to prevent unwinding.
Marl noun
Etymology
OF. marle, F. marne, LL. margila, dim. of L. marga marl. Originally a Celtic word, according to Pliny, xvii. 7: "Quod genus terræ Galli et Britanni margam vocant."
Definitions
  1. A mixed earthy substance, consisting of carbonate of lime, clay, and sand, in very varivble proportions, and accordingly designated as calcareous, clayey, or sandy. See Greensand.
Marl transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. F. marner. See Marl, n.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Marled ; present participle & verbal noun Marling
Definitions
  1. To overspread or manure with marl; as, to marl a field.

Webster 1913