marble

mar-ble · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A hard crystalline metamorphic rock formed from limestone, used in sculpture and architecture.

  2. 2.

    Made of or resembling marble.

  3. 3.

    To give a mottled or swirled appearance to something.

  4. 4.

    A small ball of glass or stone used in children's games.

  5. 5.

    (plural, informal) One's mental faculties or sanity.

Forms

plural: marbles

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    lose one's marbles — to go crazy or become senile
  • •
    marble cake — a cake with swirled light and dark batter
  • •
    cold as marble — extremely cold or emotionally distant

Related words

See also: granite, marbles, sculpture, stone
Synonyms: alabaster, stone

Etymology

From Old French marbre, from Latin marmor, from Greek mármaros ("shining stone"), related to marmaírein ("to shine, sparkle").