spurling line

noun

spur·​ling line

ˈspərliŋ-,

-ə̄l-,

-əil-,

-lēŋ-

1

: a line by which the turning of a ship's wheel moves the indicator of a telltale

2

: a line stretched across the two forward shrouds of a ship with thimbles spliced in it to serve as a fairlead

Word History

Etymology

spurling, of unknown origin

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