marble

 
Pronunciation: /ˈmɑːb(ə)l/

noun

  • 1 [mass noun] a hard crystalline metamorphic form of limestone, typically white with coloured mottlings or streaks, which may be polished and is used in sculpture and architecture: the spotless white marble of the Taj Mahal [as modifier]: a marble floor
  • used figuratively to refer to something with the smoothness, hardness, or colour of marble: her shoulders were as white as marble
  • [count noun] a marble sculpture: a pair of dramatic marbles showing dogs attacking a buck
  • 2a small ball of coloured glass or similar material used as a toy.
  • (marbles) [treated as singular] a game in which marbles are rolled along the ground with the aim of hitting those of one’s opponent: a couple of girls were playing marbles
  • 3 (one's marbles) informal one’s mental faculties: I thought she’d lost her marbles, asking a question like that

verb

[with object]
  • stain or streak (something) so that it looks like marble: the stone walls were marbled with moss and lichen

Phrases

pick up one's marbles and go home

North American informal withdraw petulantly from an activity after having suffered a setback: he’s now picking up his marbles and going home because his political career is in tatters

Derivatives

marbler

noun

marbly

adjective

Origin:

Middle English: via Old French (variant of marbre), from Latin marmor, from Greek marmaros 'shining stone', associated with marmairein 'to shine'