marbles
pronunciation
How to pronounce marbles in British English:
UK 
How to pronounce marbles in American English:
US
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- Noun:
- a children's game played with little balls made of a hard substance (as glass)
- the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception
Word Origin
- marbles (n.)
- children's game, from plural of marble (n.); first recorded by that name in 1709 but probably older (it was known in 13c. German as tribekugeln) and originally played with small balls of polished marble or alabaster, later clay; the modern glass ones with the colored swirl date from 1840s. Meaning "mental faculties, common sense" is from 1927, American English slang, perhaps [OED] from earlier slang marbles "furniture, personal effects, 'the goods' " (1864, Hotten), a corrupt translation of French meubles (plural) "furniture" (see furniture).
Example
- 1. Greece continues to lobby for the marbles to be restored to athens .
- 2. But could kremer 's scheme find an undisputed home for the elgin marbles ?
- 3. But the elgin marbles dispute has so far proved impervious to a host of clever suggestions .
- 4. But not me . I remained as still and quiet as the elgin marbles , and just as misplaced .
- 5. Outdoor scenes giant marbles : like ancient giant marbles , the moeraki boulders are strewn across koekohe beach on new zealand 's south island .