ˈmɑ:bl n. & v. --n. 1
limestone in a
metamorphic crystalline (or granular)
state,
and capable of
taking a
polish, used in
sculpture and
architecture. 2 (often attrib.) a
anything made of marble (a marble clock). b anything resembling marble in hardness, coldness, durability, etc. (her features
were marble). 3 a a
small ball of marble,
glass,
clay,
etc., used as a
toy. b (in
pl.; treated as sing.) a game using
these. 4 (in pl.) sl. one's
mental faculties (he's
lost his marbles). 5 (in pl.) a
collection of sculptures (Elgin Marbles). --v.tr. 1 (esp. as marbled adj.)
stain or
colour (paper,
the edges of a
book,
soap, etc.) to
look like variegated marble. 2 (as marbled adj.) (of meat) streaked
with alternating layers of lean and
fat. ømarble
cake a cake with a mottled
appearance, made of
light and
dark sponge. øømarbly adj. [ME f. OF marbre, marble, f. L marmor f. Gk marmaros shining stone]