Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary
MARBLE — MARSH
MARBLE, n. [L. marmor; Gr. 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, etc.
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,
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.
M`ARBLE, a. Made of marble; as a marble pillar.
1. Variegated in color; stained or veined like marble; as the marble cover of a book.
2. Hard; insensible; as a marble heart.
M`ARBLE, v.t. To variegate in color; to cloud; to stain or vein like marble; as, to marble the cover of a book.
MARBLED, pp. Diversified in color; veined like marble.
MARBLED-HEARTED, a. Having a heart like marble; hard hearted; cruel; insensible; incapable of being moved by pity, love or sympathy.
MARBLING, ppr. Variegating in colors; clouding or veining like marble.
M`ARBLING, n. The art or practice of variegating in color, in imitation of marble.
MARCASITE, n. A name which has been given to all sorts of minerals, to ores, pyrites, and semi-metals. It is now obsolete.
MARCASITIC, a. Pertaining to marcasite; of the nature of marcasite.
MARCESCENT, a. [L. marcescens, marcesco.]
Withering; fading; decaying.
MARCESSIBLE, a. That may wither; liable to decay.
MARCH, n. [L. Mars, the god of war.]
The third month of the year.
M`ARCH, v.i. To border on; to be contiguous to.
M`ARCH, v.i. [L. marceo]
1. To move by steps and in order, as soldiers; to move in a military manner. We say, the army marched, or the troops marched.
2. To walk in a grave, deliberate or stately manner.
Like thee, great son of Jove, like thee,
When clad in rising majesty,
Thou marchest down o’er Delos’ hills.
M`ARCH, v.t. To cause to move, as an army. Buonaparte marched an immense army to Moscow, but he did not march them back to France.
1. To cause to move in order or regular procession.
M`ARCH, n.
1. The walk or movement of soldiers in order, whether infantry or cavalry. The troops were fatigued with a long march.
2. A grave, deliberate or solemn walk.
The long majestic march.
3. A slow or laborious march.
4. A signal to move; a particular beat of the drum.
5. Movement; progression; advance, as the march of reason; the march of mind.
MARCHER, n. The lord or officer who defended the marches or borders of a territory.
MARCHES, n. plu. Borders; limits; confines; as lord of the marches.
MARCHING, ppr. Moving or walking in order or in a stately manner.
M`ARCHING, n. Military movement; passage of troops.
MARCHIONESS, n. The wife or widow of a marquis; or a female having the rank and dignity of a marquis.
MARCHPANE, n. [L. panis, bread.]
A kind of sweet bread or biscuit. [Not used.]
MARCID, a. [L. marcidus, from marceo, to pine.]
Pining; wasted away; lean; withered.
MARCOR, n. [L.] The state of withering or wasting; leanness; waste of flesh. [Little used.]
MARE, n. The female of the horse, or equine genus of quadrupeds.
A kind or torpor or stagnation which seems to press the stomach in sleep; the incubus. [It is now used only in the compound, nightmare, which ought to be written nightmar.]
MARECA, n. A species of duck in South America.
MARENA, n. A kind of fish somewhat like a pilchard.
MARESCHAL, n. m`arshal. The chief commander of an army.
MARGARATE, n. [L. margarita, a pearl, from the Greek.]
In chimistry, a compound of margaric acid with a base.
MARGARIC, a. [supra.] Pertaining to pearl. The margaric acid is obtained by digesting soap made of hog’s lard and potash, in water. It appears in the form of pearly scales.
MARGARIN, MARGARINE, n. A peculiar pearl-like substance, extracted from hog’s lard; called also margarite and margaric acid.
MARGARITE, n. A pearl.
1. Margaric acid.
2. A mineral of a grayish white color found in Tyrol.
MARGAY, n. An American animal of the cat kind.
MARGIN, n. [L. margo.]
1. A border; edge; brink; verge; as the margin of a river or lake.
2. The edge of the leaf or page of a book, left blank or filled with notes.
3. The edge of a wound.
4. In botany, the edge of a leaf.
M`ARGIN, v.t. To furnish with a margin; to border.
1. To enter in the margin.
MARGINAL, a. Pertaining to a margin.
1. Written or printed in the margin; as a marginal note or gloss.
MARGINALLY, adv. In the margin of a book.
MARGINATED, a. Having a margin.
MARGODE, n. A bluish gray stone, resembling clay in external appearance, but so hard as to cut spars and zeolites.
MARGOT, n. A fish of the perch kind, found in the waters of Carolina.
MARGRAVE, n. Originally, a lord or keeper of the marches or borders; now a title of nobility in Germany, etc.
MARGRAVIATE, n. The territory or jurisdiction of a margrave.
MARIETS, n. A kind of violet, [violae marianae.]
MARIGENOUS, a. [L. mare, the sea, and gigno, to produce.]
Produced in or by the sea.
MARIGOLD, n. A plant of the genus Calendula, bearing a yellow flower. There are several plants of different genera bearing this name; as the African marigold, of the genus Tagetes; corn-marigold, of the genus Chrysanthemum; fig-marigold, of the genus Mesembryanthemum; marsh-marigold, of the genus Caltha.
MARIKIN, n. A species of monkey having a mane.
MARINATE, v.t. To salt or pickle fish, and then preserve them in oil or vinegar. [Little used.]
MARINE, a. [L. marinus, from mare, the sea.]
1. Pertaining to the sea; as marine productions or bodies; marine shells.
2. Transacted at sea; done on the ocean; as a marine engagement.
3. Doing duty on the sea; as a marine officer; marine forces.
MARINE, n. A soldier that serves on board of a ship in naval engagements. In the plural, marines, a body of troops trained to do military service on board of ships.
1. The whole navy of a kingdom or state.
2. The whole economy of naval affairs, comprehending the building, rigging, equipping, navigating and management of ships of war in engagements.
MARINER, n. [L. mare, the sea.] A seaman or sailor; one whose occupation is to assist in navigating ships.
MARIPUT, n. The zoril, an animal of the skunk tribe.
MARISH, n. [L. mare.] Low ground, wet or covered with water and coarse grass; a fen; a bog; a moor. It is now written marsh, which see.
MARISH, a. Morry; fenny; boggy.
MARITAL, a. [L. maritus.] Pertaining to a husband.
MARITIME, a. [L. maritimus, from mare, the sea.]
1. Relating or pertaining to the sea or ocean; as maritime affairs.
2. Performed on the sea; naval; as maritime service.
3. Bordering on the sea; as a maritime coast.
4. Situated near the sea; as maritime towns.
5. Having a navy and commerce by sea; as maritime powers.
Maritimal is not now used.
[Note. We never say, a maritime body, a maritime shell or production, a maritime officer or engagement, a maritime league. See Marine.]
MARJORAM, n. A plant of the genus Origanum, of several species. The sweet marjoram is peculiarly aromatic and fragrant, and much used in cookery. The Spanish marjoram is of the genus Urtica.
MARK, n. [L. mercor, the primary sense of which is to go, to pass; Gr. to pass; Eng. fair, and fare.]
1. A visible line made by drawing one substance on another; as a mark made by chalk or charcoal, or a pen.
2. A line, groove or depression made by stamping or cutting; an incision; a channel or impression; as the mark of a chisel, of a stamp, of a rod or whip; the mark of the finger or foot.
3. Any note or sign of distinction.
The Lord set a mark upon Cain. Genesis 4:15.
4. Any visible effect of force or agency.
There are scarce any marks left of a subterraneous fire.
5. Any apparent or intelligible effect; proof, evidence.
The confusion of tongues was a mark of separation.
6. Notice taken.
The laws
Stand like the forfeits in a barber’s shop,
As much for mock as mark.
7. Any thing to which a missile weapon may be directed.
France was a fairer mark to shoot at than Ireland.
8. Any object used as a guide, or to which the mind may be directed. The dome of the State house in Boston is a good mark for seamen.
9. Any thing visible by which knowledge of something may be obtained; indication; as the marks of age in a horse. Civility is a mark of politeness or respect. Levity is a mark of weakness.
10. A character made by a person who cannot write his name, and intended as a substitute for it.
11. A weight of certain commodities, but particularly of gold and silver, used in several states of Europe; in Great Britain, a money of account, equal to thirteen shillings and four pence. In some countries, it is a coin.
12. A license of reprisals. [See Marque.]
MARK, v.t.
1. To draw or make a visible line or character with any substance; as, to mark with chalk or with compasses.
2. To stamp; to impress; to make a visible impression, figure or indenture; as, to mark a sheep with a brand.
3. To make an incision; to lop off a part; to make any sign of distinction; as, to mark sheep or cattle by cuts in their ears.
4. To form a name or the initials of a name for distinction; as, to mark cloth; to mark a handkerchief.
5. To notice; to take particular observation of.
Mark them who cause divisions and offenses. Romans 16:17.
Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace. Psalm 37:37.
6. To heed; to regard.
To mark out, to notify, as by a mark; to point out; to designate. The ringleaders were marked out for seizure and punishment.
MARK, v.i. To note; to observe critically; to take particular notice; to remark.
Mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeketh mischief. 1 Kings 20:7.
MARKABLE, a. Remarkable. [Not in use.]
MARKED, pp. Impressed with any note or figure of distinction; noted; distinguished by some character.
MARKER, n. One who puts a mark on any thing.
1. One that notes or takes notice.
MARKET, n. [L. mercatus, from mercor, to buy.]
1. A public place in a city or town, where provisions or cattle are exposed to sale; an appointed place for selling and buying at private sale, a distinguished from an auction.
2. A public building in which provisions are exposed to sale; a market-house.
3. Sale; the exchange of provisions or goods for money; purchase or rate of purchase and sale. The seller says he comes to a bad market, when the buyer says he comes to a good market. We say, the markets are low or high; by which we understand the price or rate of purchase. We say that commodities find a quick or ready market; markets are dull. We are not able to find a market for our goods or provisions.
4. Place of sale; as the British market; the American market.
5. The privilege of keeping a public market.
M`ARKET, v.i. To deal in market; to buy or sell; to make bargains for provisions or goods.
MARKET-BELL, n. The bell that gives notice of the time or day of market.
MARKET-CROSS, n. A cross set up where a market is held.
MARKET-DAY, n. The day of a public market.
MARKET-FOLKS, n. People that come to the market.
MARKET-HOUSE, n. A building for a public market.
MARKET-MAID, n. A woman that brings things to market.
MARKET-MAN, n. A man that brings things to market.
MARKET-PLACE, n. The place where provisions or goods are exposed to sale.
MARKET-PRICE, MARKET-RATE, n. The current price of commodities at any given time.
MARKET-TOWN, n. A town that has the privilege of a stated public market.
MARKET-WOMAN, n. A woman that brings things to market or that attends a market for selling any thing.
MARKETABLE, n. That may be sold; salable.
1. Current in market; as marketable value.
MARKSMAN, n. [Mark and man.] One that is skillful to hit a mark; he that shoots well.
1. One who, not able to write, makes his mark instead of his name.
MARL, n. [L. marga.] A species of calcarious earth, of different composition, being united with clay or fuller’s earth. In a crude state, it effervesces with acids. It is found loose and friable, or more or less indurated. It possesses fertilizing properties and is much used for manure.
Marl is composed of carbonate of lime and clay in various proportions.
M`ARL, v.t. To overspread or manure with marl.
1. To fasten with marline.
MARLACEOUS, a. Resembling marl; partaking of the qualities of marl.
MARLINE, n. A small line composed of two strands little twisted, and either tarred or white; used for winding round ropes and cables, to prevent their being fretted by the blocks, etc.
M`ARLINE, v.t. To wind marline round a rope.
MARLINE-SPIKE, n. A small iron like a large spike, used to open the bolt rope when the sail is to be sewed to it, etc.
MARLING, n. The act of winding a small line about a rope, to prevent its being galled.
MARLITE, n. A variety of marl.
MARLITIC, a. Partaking of the qualities of marlite.
MARLPIT, n. A pit where marl is dug.
MARLY, a. Consisting in or partaking of marl.
1. Resembling marl.
2. Abounding with marl.
MARMALADE, n. [L. melo, mel.] The pulp of quinces boiled into a consistence with sugar, or a confection of plums, apricots, quinces, etc. boiled with sugar. In Scotland, it is made of Seville oranges and sugar only.
MARMALITE, n. [Gr. to shine.] A mineral of a pearly or metallic luster; a hydrate of magnesia.
MARMORACEOUS, a. Pertaining to or like marble. [See Marmorean, the more legitimate word.]
MARMORATED, a. [L. marmor, marble.]
Covered with marble. [Little used.]
MARMORATION, n. A covering or incrusting with marble. [Little used.]
MARMOREAN, a. [L. marmoreus.] Pertaining to marble.
1. Made of marble.
MARMOSE, n. An animal resembling the opossum, but less. Instead of a bag, this animal has two longitudinal folds near the thighs, which serve to inclose the young.
MARMOSET, n. A small monkey.
MARMOT, n. A quadruped of the genus Arctomys, allied to the murine tribe. It is about the size of the rabbit, and inhabits the higher region of the Alps and Pyrenees. The name is also given to other species of the genus. The woodchuck of North America is called the Maryland marmot.
MAROON, n. A name given to free blacks living on the mountains in the West India isles.
MAROON, v.t. To put a sailor a shore on a desolate isle, under pretense of his having committed some great crime.
MARQUE, MARK, n. Letters of marque are letters of reprisal; a license or extraordinary commission granted by a sovereign of one state to his subjects, to make reprisals at sea on the subjects of another, under pretense of indemnification for injuries received. Marque is said to be from the same root as marches, limits, frontiers, and literally to denote a license to pass the limits of a jurisdiction on land, for the purpose of obtaining satisfaction for theft by seizing the property of the subjects of a foreign nation. I can give no better account of the origin of this word.
1. The ship commissioned for making reprisals.
MARQUETRY, n. Inlaid work; work inlaid with variegations of fine wood, shells, ivory and the like.
MARQUIS, n. A title of honor in Great Britain, next to that of duke. Originally, the marquis was an officer whose duty was to guard the marches or frontiers of the kingdom. The office has ceased, and marquis is now a mere title conferred by patent.
M`ARQUIS, n. A marchioness.
MARQUISATE, n. The seigniory, dignity, or lordship of a marquis.
MARRER, n. [from mar.] One that mars, hurts or impairs.
MARRIABLE, for marriageable. [Not used.]
MARRIAGE, n. [L. mas, maris.] The act of uniting a man and woman for life; wedlock; the legal union of a man and woman for life. Marriage is a contract both civil and religious, by which the parties engage to live together in mutual affection and fidelity, till death shall separate them. Marriage was instituted by God himself for the purpose of preventing the promiscuous intercourse of the sexes, for promoting domestic felicity, and for securing the maintenance and education of children.
Marriage is honorable in all and the bed undefiled. Hebrews 13:4.
1. A feast made on the occasion of a marriage.
The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king, who made a marriage for his son. Matthew 22:2.
2. In a scriptural sense, the union between Christ and his church by the covenant of grace. Revelation 19:7.
MARRIAGEABLE, a. Of an age suitable for marriage; fit to be married. Young persons are marriageable at an earlier age in warm climates than in cold.
1. Capable of union.
MARRIAGE-ARTICLES, n. Contract or agreement on which a marriage is founded.
MARRIED, pp. [from marry.] United in wedlock.
1. a. Conjugal; connubial; as the married state.
MARROW, n.
1. A soft oleaginous substance contained in the cavities of animal bones.
2. The essence; the best part.
3. In the Scottish dialect, a companion; fellow; associate; match.
MARROW, v.t. To fill with marrow or with fat; to glut.
MARROW-BONE, n. A bone containing marrow, or boiled for its marrow.
1. The bone of the knee; in ludicrous language.
MARROWFAT, n. A kind of rich pea.
MARROWISH, a. Of the nature of marrow.
MARROWLESS, a. Destitute of marrow.
MARROWY, a. Full of marrow; pithy.
MARRY, v.t. [L. mas, maris, a male; L. vir, a husband, a lord or master.]
1. To unite in wedlock or matrimony; to join a man and woman for life, and constitute them man and wife according to the laws or customs of a nation. By the laws, ordained clergymen have a right to marry persons within certain limits prescribed.
Tell him he shall marry the couple himself.
2. To dispose of in wedlock.
Mecaenas told Augustus he must either marry his daughter Julia to Agrippa, or take away his life.
[In this sense, it is properly applicable to females only.]
3. To take for husband or wife. We say, a man marries a woman; or a woman marries a man. The first was the original sense, but both are now well authorized.
4. In Scripture, to unite in covenant, or in the closest connection.
Turn, O backsliding children, saith Jehovah, for I am married to you. Jeremiah 3:14.
MARRY, v.i. To enter into the conjugal state; to unite as husband and wife; to take a husband or a wife.
If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. Matthew 19:10.
I will therefore that the younger women marry. 1 Timothy 5:14.