marl-pit
(ˈmɑːlpɪt)
[f. marl n.1 Cf. MDu. marleput.]
A pit from which marl is dug.
| c 1386 Chaucer Miller's T. 274 He walked in the feeldes for to prye Vp on the sterres..Til he was in a Marleput yfalle. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 327/1 Marlpytte, or chalkepytte, cretarium. 1538 Leland Itin. V. 81 Sum [Pooles] be likelyhod have begon of Marle Pittes. 1625 Fletcher & Shirley Nt. Walker iii. i. (1640) E 4 Or shall I drive her..over some rotton bridge, Or by a Marle pit side? 1707 Mortimer Husb. (1721) I. 294 Carps delight in Marlpits. 1868 Peard Water-Farm. xv. 158 Old marl or gravel-pits. |