Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MAR-BLE, n. [Fr. marbre; Sp. marmol; It. marmo; L. marmor; Gr. μαρμαρος, white.]

1. The popular name of any species of calcarious stone or mineral, of a compact texture, and of a beautiful appearance, susceptible of a good polish. The varieties are numerous, and greatly diversified in color. Marble is limestone, or a stone which may be calcined to lime, a carbonate of lime; but limestone is a more general name, comprehending the calcarious stones of an inferior texture, as well as those which admit a fine polish. Marble is much used for statues, busts, pillars, chimney-pieces, monuments, &c.
2. A little ball of marble or other stone, used by children in play.
3. A stone remarkable for some inscription or sculpture. Arundel marbles, or Arundelian marbles, Marble pieces with a chronicle of the city of Athens inscribed on them, presented to the University of Oxford, by Thomas earl of Arundel. Encyc.