Marble Origin Of Word

Uncountable noun oft noun noun marble is a type of very hard rock which feels cold when you touch it and which shines when it is cut and polished.

Marble origin of word.

The forms from french replaced old english marma which had previously been borrowed from latin. Statues and parts of buildings are sometimes made of marble. Meaning mottled like marble is mid 15c. Marble english origin history from anglo norman and old french marbre from latin marmor from ancient greek μάρμαρος perhaps related to μαρμάρεος gleaming.

From 1590s as resembling marble in some figurative quality cold hard insensible etc. Marble adj late 14c consisting of marble from marble n. Much of the early classical marble came from the marmaris sea above the aegean. The earlier adjective in this sense was marbrin early 14c.

Beekes has suggested that a pre greek origin is probable.