Marble

n. [Fr. marbre, Pr. marbre, marme, Sp. marmol, Pg. marmore, It. marmo, Ger. marmor, marmelstein, Lat. marmor, Gr. μάρμαρος, from μαρμαίρειν, to sparkle, flash.] 1. Any species of calcareous stone or mineral, of a compact texture, and of a beautiful appearance, susceptible of a good polish; any firm limestone, fitted, either when polished or otherwise, for ornamental uses; also, other rocks of nearly the same hardness, capable of the same uses, as serpentine; also, but improperly, polished slabs of harder rocks, as porphyry, granite, and the like. 2. Hence, a thing made of, or resembling, marble; as, (a.) A work of art, or record, in marble. (b.) A little ball of marble, or of some other hard substance, used as a plaything by children. (c.) (pl.) A collection of antique works of art in marble; as, the Arundelian marbles. ☞ Marble is sometimes used in composition of words which are self-explaining; as, marble-breasted, marble-constant, marble-cutter, marble-edged, marble-faced, marble-hearted, marble-paper, and the like.