Good Books

Mar`a*ve"di (?), n. [Sp.
maravedí; -- so called from the
Morābitīn (lit., the steadfast), an Arabian
dynasty which reigned in Africa and Spain. Cf. Marabout.]
(Numis.) A small copper coin of Spain, equal to three
mils American money, less than a farthing sterling. Also, an ancient
Spanish gold coin.

Mar"ble (mär"b'l), n. [OE.
marbel, marbre, F. marbre, L. marmor, fr.
Gr. ma`rmaros, fr. marmai`rein to sparkle,
flash. Cf. Marmoreal.] 1. A massive,
compact limestone; a variety of calcite, capable of being polished
and used for architectural and ornamental purposes. The color varies
from white to black, being sometimes yellow, red, and green, and
frequently beautifully veined or clouded. The name is also given to
other rocks of like use and appearance, as serpentine or verd antique
marble, and less properly to polished porphyry, granite,
etc.

&fist; Breccia marble consists of limestone
fragments cemented together. -- Ruin marble, when
polished, shows forms resembling ruins, due to disseminated iron
oxide.


Pages:
282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306