Where does “marbles” come from?
Marbles derives from Middle English marbre, from Old French marbre, from Latin marmor, from Ancient Greek μάρμαρος, related to the verb μαρμαίρω meaning to shine or sparkle.
marbles (English): Any of several children's games played with small...
Definitions
- Any of several children's games played with small...
Ancestry of “marbles”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | marble | A rock of crystalline limestone; A small ball,... |
| 2 | Middle English | marble | — |
| 3 | Old French | marbre | marble |
| 4 | Latin | marmor | a block or piece of marble; pulverized marble,... |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | μάρμαρος | crystalline rock; marble |
| 6 | Indo-European | *mer- | — |