Marten

mar'ten, n. A carniv- orous animal of several species, allied to the weasel; its fur, used for hats, muffs, etc. [F. murtre, LL. marturis, D. marter, AS. meardh.~] Mar-text. See under Mar. Martial. See under Mars. Martin, mar'tin, Martlet, n. which builds its nest about the eaves, etc., of houses. [F. Martin (the proper name), martlet, martinet, dim.] Martinet, mar'tin-et', «. (Mil.) A strict disciplinarian a pedantic officer. [Name of an officer in the French army under Louis XIV.] (Naut.) A small line fastened to the leech of a sail, to bring close to the yard when the sail furled. Martingal, mar'tin-gal, -gale, -gal, n. A strap fastened to a horse's girth, pa ing between his fore legs, and ending in 2 rings, through which the reins pa , to hold down his head, and prevent him from rearing. (Naut.) A lower stay for the jib-boom or flying jib-boom; the short, perpendicular spar (= dolphin striker) under the bowsprit end, which forms a strut for the stay: see Ship. (Gambling.) Act of doubling the amount lost on the preceding stake. [F. martingale, Sp. martingal, a kind of Dreeches worn by a Martigal, citizen of Martigues, in Provence.]