marble English · revision 10772

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1200|origins=fro marbre|origins=la marmor|origins=grc μάρμαρος}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈmɑː.bəl/, US /ˈmɑːr.bəl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fro|marbre]] (later marble),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from Latin marmor,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from Greek [[m|grc|μάρμαρος|tr=mármaros|t=shining stone, block of rock]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(Cresswell 2021) The Greek word was associated with marmaírein, to sparkle, shine,^(Hoad 1986)^(Cresswell 2021)^(NODE 1998) though Barnhart and Merriam-Webster suggest it first meant breakable stone, related to words for crushing.^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) The l of marble arose by dissimilation of the second r in marbre.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Crystalline limestone used for building and sculpture: before 1200 as marbra,^(Barnhart 1988) the mid-12th century in Etymonline;^(Etymonline) the compound marbelston is 12th century.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Old English had borrowed the Latin word directly as marma.^(Etymonline) A piece of sculptured or inscribed marble, such as a tombstone, is from the early 14th century.^(Etymonline) The adjective, made of marble, is from about 1375, and mottled like marble from the mid-15th century.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) Marble as a type of hardness or coldness is from 1586.^(OED 1989) The little ball used in children's games is from the 1690s,^(Etymonline) the late 17th century in Word Origins.^(Cresswell 2021) The verb, to stain with veins like marble, is from the 1590s.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1200 – marbra.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * early 14th century – a marble tomb.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1375 – marble (adjective).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1590s – to marble (verb).^(Etymonline)

+ * 1690s – a glass or stone ball.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A hard [[limestone]] rock, often veined, that takes a high polish and is used for building and [[sculpture]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A small glass ball used in children's games.^(Etymonline)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A sculpture or carving in marble.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To stain or streak with veins of colour like marble.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Made of or like marble.^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[marbly]]

+ * [[marbler]]

+ * [[emmarble]]

+ * [[enmarble]]

+ * [[marblewood]]

+ * [[marbling]]

+ * [[onyx marble]]

+ * [[Carrara marble]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[marmoreal]]

+ * [[marbles]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Word Origins notes that losing one's marbles, going mad, refers to the game of marbles.^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}