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mar·line·spike | \ ˈmär-lən-ˌspīk 
\
\variants:
or less commonly marlinspike
Definition of marlinespike
: a tool (as of wood or iron) that tapers to a point and is used to separate strands of rope or wire (as in splicing)
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Time Traveler for marlinespike
The first known use of marlinespike was in 1539
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