Definition of marmoreal
: of, relating to, or suggestive of marble or a marble statue especially in coldness or aloofness
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marmoreal was our Word of the Day on 02/12/2016. Hear the podcast!
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Did You Know?
Most marble-related words in English were chiseled from the Latin noun marmor, meaning "marble." Marmor gave our language the word marble itself in the 12th century. It is also the parent of marmoreal, which has been used in English since the mid-1600s. Marbleize, another marmor descendant, came later, making its print debut around 1854. The obscure adjective marmorate, meaning "veined like marble," dates to the 16th century and hasn't seen much use since.
Origin and Etymology of marmoreal
Latin marmoreus, from marmor marble
First Known Use: 1656
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