Mandrel A cylindrical rod or tube around which hollow knotting, such as Turk’s Head Knots, bracelets, etc. can be formed while in the tying process.(4)

Make Fast (a)To secure a rope with a hitch, (b) To finish off belaying with a single hitch. (3)

Manila  Rope made from the plant Musa textillus, a native of the Philippines. Normally the best of the natural fibre ropes. (1)

Marl ,To To wrap with a series of Marline Hitches (8)

Marline Two strands of hemp loosely laid up left handed. Used for serving , seizing etc.(1)

Marlinspike, Marlingspike, Marlinespike A round pointed metal instrument (tool) for separating the strands of a rope (especially wire) when splicing or for use as a lever to tightening seizing. (4)

Marry, To, (a) To butt two ropes’ ends and worm over the joint, adding four stops. Used in reeving off.  (b) To open and crotch two ropes’ ends preparatory to splicing or shroud knotting.(3)

Messenger Line  A light line such as a heaving line used for hauling over Heavy lines. (6)

Monofilament Continuous synthetic thread of uniform cross section and a diameter of more than 50 microns(5)

Multifilament A bundle of fine monofilaments (5)

Multiplait  Strong but flexible rope which does not kink , plaited using four or six pairs of strands, half of which are right-hand laid and the other left-hand laid. (4)