marble

[ mahr-buhl ]

/ ˈmɑr bəl /

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noun

metamorphosed limestone, consisting chiefly of recrystallized calcite or dolomite, capable of taking a high polish, occurring in a wide range of colors and variegations and used in sculpture and architecture.

any variety of this stone: Carrara marble.

an object made of or carved from this stone, especially a sculpture: Renaissance marbles.

a piece of this stone: the fallen marbles of Roman ruins.

(not in technical use) any of various breccias or other stones that take a high polish and show a variegated pattern.

a marbled appearance or pattern; marbling: The woodwork had a greenish marble.

anything resembling marble in hardness, coldness, smoothness, etc.: a brow of marble.

something lacking in warmth or feeling.

a little ball made of stone, baked clay, glass, porcelain, agate, or steel, especially for use in games.

marbles, (used with a singular verb) a game for children in which a marble is propelled by the thumb to hit another marble so as to drive it out of a circle drawn or scratched on the ground.

marbles, Slang. normal rational faculties; sanity; wits; common sense: to have all one's marbles; to lose one's marbles.

adjective

consisting or made of marble.

like marble, as in hardness, coldness, smoothness, etc.

lacking in warmth, compassion, or sympathy: marble heart.

of variegated or mottled color.

verb (used with object), mar·bled, mar·bling.

to color or stain like variegated marble.

to apply a decorative pattern to (paper, the edges of a book, etc.) by transferring oil pigments floating on water.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

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Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

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TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of marble

1150–1200; Middle English marbel, dissimilated variant of Old English marmel (in marmelstān marble stone) <Latin marmor<Greek mármaros, akin to marmaírein to sparkle

OTHER WORDS FROM marble

marbler, nounun·mar·bled, adjective

Words nearby marble

maraud, marauder, marauding, maravedi, Marbella, marble, marble cake, marbled white, Marblehead, marbleize, marble orchard

Other definitions for marble (2 of 2)

Marble

[ mahr-buhl ]

/ ˈmɑr bəl /

noun

Alice, 1913–90, U.S. tennis player.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use marble in a sentence

Rather than laying down layers of cells that then have to be incubated, they are using vegan-friendly mockups of muscle, fat, and blood to create complex patterns that mimic a well-marbled steak.
An Israeli Startup Is 3D Printing Cultured Ribeye Steaks|Edd Gent|February 17, 2021|Singularity Hub
Fortunately, what is believed to be the last island marble butterfly population falls within the boundaries of the San Juan National Historic Park.
We Crush, Poison, and Destroy Insects at Our Own Peril - Issue 95: Escape|John Hainze|January 20, 2021|Nautilus
They rested on the marble floors that rioters — some of whom carried Confederate flags — overran just a week before.
Troops lodged in the Capitol in 1861. It was a wreck when they left.|Meryl Kornfield, Felicia Sonmez|January 14, 2021|Washington Post
To create The Veiled Son, for example, Jago used Danby marble from Vermont because, according to the artist, it was more suited to his intent.
Meet the Renaissance Master of Instagram|Daniel Malloy|December 9, 2020|Ozy

Unless you’re into marble racing or Belarusian hockey, you’re probably having a hard time finding any sports to watch right now.
'Something Needs to Fill That Void.' As Stadiums Go Quiet, Esports Are Having a Moment|Matthew Gault|March 31, 2020|Time
The academy has faux-marble halls, long mirrors, and gold-color-painted details.
Russia’s Gold Digger Academy|Peter Pomerantsev|November 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Wedged between two marble buildings at the lavishly designed Lincoln Center, sits a single white tent.
How the Circus Got a Social Conscience|Justin Jones|November 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He rests lavishly, depicted in a marble sarcophagus that stares up for eternity at the carved depictions of his life story.
Brooklyn’s Gangster Graveyard|Nina Strochlic|October 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A civilian named Richard Gabrielle was trapped under a pile of marble, but alive during those last minutes.
The Flying New York Fireman Who Shined on 9/11|Michael Daly|September 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Expansion favors everyone,” added the 79-year-old Tuscan, who started off as a bookkeeper in a marble firm in 1955.
Mosque-Building Bin Ladens Buy Marble Once Used for Churches|Tom Kington|August 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Half-fed men would dig for diamonds, and men sheltered by a crazy roof erect the marble walls of palaces.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
Aristide, aglow with a sudden impudent inspiration, leant across the marble table.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
It is a fine marble, much too hard to admit of minute carving, but taking a high polish.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
The poor marble statue at his feet can no longer respond to the cries of her famishing child.
The World Before Them|Susanna Moodie
His splendid monument, with recumbent marble effigies of himself and his wife, occupies the east wall of the Hyde Chapel.
The Portsmouth Road and Its Tributaries|Charles G. Harper

British Dictionary definitions for marble

marble

/ (ˈmɑːbəl) /

noun

a hard crystalline metamorphic rock resulting from the recrystallization of a limestone: takes a high polish and is used for building and sculpture
(as modifier)a marble bust Related adjective: marmoreal

a block or work of art of marble

a small round glass or stone ball used in playing marbles

make one's marble good Australian and NZ informal to succeed or do the right thing

pass in one's marble Australian informal to die

verb

(tr) to mottle with variegated streaks in imitation of marble

adjective

cold, hard, or unresponsive

white like some kinds of marble

Derived forms of marble

marbled, adjectivemarbler, nounmarbly, adjective

Word Origin for marble

C12: via Old French from Latin marmor, from Greek marmaros, related to Greek marmairein to gleam

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for marble

marble

[ mär′bəl ]

A metamorphic rock consisting primarily of calcite and dolomite. Marble is formed by the metamorphism of limestone. Although it is usually white to gray in color, it often has irregularly colored marks due to the presence of impurities such as silica and clay. Marble is used especially in sculpture and as a building material.

Other Idioms and Phrases with marble

marble

see have all one's buttons (marbles).

marble

Origin of marble

OTHER WORDS FROM marble

Words nearby marble

Other definitions for marble (2 of 2)

Words related to marble

How to use marble in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for marble

Derived forms of marble

Word Origin for marble

Scientific definitions for marble

Other Idioms and Phrases with marble