Copyright © Philip M. Parker, INSEAD. Terms of Use.
Definition: Marbles |
MarblesNoun1. A children's game played with little balls made of a hard substance (as glass). Source: WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. |
Date "marbles" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1321. (references) |
| Domain | Definition |
Computing | Marbles pl.n. [from mainstream "lost all his/her marbles"] The minimum needed to build your way further up some hierarchy of tools or abstractions. After a bad system crash, you need to determine if the machine has enough marbles to come up on its own, or enough marbles to allow a rebuild from backups, or if you need to rebuild from scratch. "This compiler doesn't even have enough marbles to compile hello world.". Source: Jargon File. |
Literature | Marbles The Arundelian Marbles. Some thirty-seven statues and 128 busts with inscriptions, collected by W. Petty, in the reign of James I., in the island of Paros, and purchased of him by Lord Arundel, who gave them to the University of Oxford in 1627. The Elgin marbles. A collection of basso-relievos and fragments of statuary from the Parthenon of Athens (built by Phidias), collected by Thomas, Lord Elgin, during his mission to the Ottoman Porte in 1802. They were purchased from him by the British Government, in 1816, for 35,000, and are now in the British Museum. (The gin of "Elgin" is like the -gin of "begin.") Money and marbles. Cash and furniture. Source: Brewer's Dictionary. |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
| Context | Synonyms within Context (source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus). |
Amusement | Leapfrog, hop skip and jump; mother may I; French and English, tug of war; blindman's bluff, hunt the slopper, hide and seek, kiss in the ring; snapdragon; cross questions and crooked answers.; crisscross, hopscotch; jacks, jackstones, marbles; mumblety-peg, mumble-the-peg, pushball, shinney, shinny, tag; |
Insanity | Become insane; adj; lose one's senses, lose one's reason, lose one's faculties, lose one's wits; go mad, run mad, lose one's marbles, go crazy, go bonkers, flip one's wig, flip one's lid, flip out, flip one's bush. |
| Source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus. | |
Crosswords: Marbles |
| English words defined with "marbles": Arundelian ♦ Chinese checkers, Chinese chequers ♦ Dragon's blood ♦ Parian chronicle, pinball, pinball game ♦ shooter, Statuary marble ♦ taw ♦ Xanthian. (references) |
| Specialty definitions using "marbles": Arundelian Marbles ♦ ballers ♦ Dubs ♦ ELGIN ♦ FIBER-MACHINE TENDER, forming operator ♦ MARBLE-MACHINE TENDER ♦ Numidian marble ♦ Phigalian Marbles, PLATE GRAINER, plate preparer ♦ sliver former, sliver handler ♦ zinc-plate grainer. (references) |
| Domain | Usage | |
Screenplays | One day, when I have a gray beard and a few marbles rollin' around upstairs, that's when they'll let me out. (The Shawshank Redemption; writing credit: Frank Darabont) I've lost my marbles. (Hook; writing credit: James V. Hart and Malia Scotch Marmo. Based on the play 'Peter Pan' by J.M. Barrie.) We didn't find any candles, but we did find some marbles. And the waistband to a pair of underpants (Malcolm in the Middle; writing credit: Daniel Frenette) You have no marbles! (Major League II; writing credit: David S. Ward; R.J. Stewart) May I have ten thousand marbles, please (Animal House; writing credit: Harold Ramis; Douglas Kenney) | |
Movie/TV Titles | ...All the Marbles (1981) | |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | ||
| Domain | Title |
Books | |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
| Thumbnail | Description & Credit | Thumbnail | Description & Credit |
 | Figure 27. Model of an Ekman Current Meter. This type of current meter was invented by V. Wilfred Ekman in about 1903. It had a novel method of recording current speed and direction. In effect small marbles were distributed by a drainpipe on the magnetized pointer for recording direction while the number of marbles was proportional to the strength of current. Credit: Sailing for Science - the NOAA Fleet Then and Now. |  | Shooting marbles, Woodbine, Iowa. Credit: Library of Congress. |
 | French Village, a small settlement on St. Thomas Island, Virgin Islands. Boys playing marbles outside of a general store. Credit: Library of Congress. |  | Mountain children playing marbles after school in Breathitt County, Kentucky. Credit: Library of Congress. |
 | Migrant children in Farm Security Administration (FSA) migratory labor camp. Note type of boots worn by boy shooting marbles which tell his state of origin. Near Calipatria, Imperial County, California. Credit: Library of Congress. |  | Boys play marbles at the FSA (Farm Security Administration) farm workers' community. Friendly Corners, Arizona. Credit: Library of Congress. |
 | Boys playing marbles, FSA ... labor camp, Robstown, Texas. Credit: Library of Congress. | ||
Source: pictures compiled by the editor from various references; see picture credits. | |||
 |  |
| "Marbles" by Joanna Kopik Commentary: "A few marbles against a blue background." | "Devils Marbles 4" by L L Commentary: "Devils Marbles, Northern Territory, Australia." |
Source: photographs selected by the editor, with permission from the photographers. | |
| Title | Author | Quote |
Les Miserables | Hugo, Victor | The horses of Marly, those neighing marbles, were curveting in a golden cloud |
Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man | Joyce, James | There was cold night air in the chapel and the marbles were the colour the sea was at night |
Grapes of Wrath | Steinbeck, John | He gathered some little rocks from the ground and shot them like marbles, with his thumb |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references. | ||
| "Marbles" is generally used as a noun (plural) -- approximately 89.94% of the time. "Marbles" is used about 169 times out of a sample of 100 million words spoken or written in English. Its rank is based on over 700,000 words used in the English language. Some parts-of-speech are not covered due to the samples used by the British National Corpus. (note: percents less than one-hundredth of one percent have been omitted) |
| Parts of Speech | Percent | Usage per 100 Million Words | Rank in English |
| Noun (plural) | 89.94% | 152 | 25,494 |
| Noun (proper) | 5.92% | 10 | 111,207 |
| Lexical Verb (-s form) | 4.14% | 7 | 133,076 |
| Total | 100.00% | 169 | N/A |
Source: compiled by the editor from several corpora; see credits.
Expressions using "marbles": Elgin marbles ♦ loose one's marbles ♦ lose ones marbles ♦ lose one's marbles ♦ play marbles ♦ shoot marbles. Additional references. | |
| Hypenated Usage | |
Ending with "marbles": mouth-full-of-marbles. | |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
| The following statistics estimate the number of searches per day across the major English-language search engines as identified by various trade publications. Hyperlinks lead to commercial use of the expression at Amazon.com. |
| Expression | Frequency per Day | Expression | Frequency per Day |
marbles | 1,330 | marbles for sale | 14 |
game marbles | 165 | craft marbles | 13 |
lose your marbles | 81 | devil marbles | 13 |
glass marbles | 74 | mega marbles | 12 |
elgin marbles | 63 | clay marbles | 12 |
marbles knife | 55 | marbles rule | 12 |
antique marbles | 54 | a bag of marbles | 12 |
you play marbles | 40 | collecting marbles | 11 |
marbles credit card | 30 | ebay marbles | 11 |
old and marbles | 21 | marbles picture | 11 |
playing marbles | 21 | pokemon marbles | 11 |
marbles speed | 20 | greek marbles | 10 |
loose your marbles | 18 | computer game marbles | 10 |
toy marbles | 17 | marbles netives | 10 |
marbles outdoors | 16 | game marbles pebble | 10 |
lose your marbles download | 16 | lose your marbles game | 9 |
marbles axe | 15 | marbles wholesale | 9 |
collectible marbles | 15 | greek marbles thassos | 9 |
vintage marbles | 15 | agate marbles | 8 |
flat marbles | 14 | block and marbles | 8 |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |||
| Language | Translations for "marbles"; alternative meanings/domain in parentheses. | |
Albanian | lojë me rruzuj, koleksion skulpturësh. (various references) | |
Arabic | أفكار (reflection, reflexion), آراء. (various references) | |
Bulgarian | колекция от мраморни статуи, мрамор (marble). (various references) | |
Chinese | 大理石 (marble). (various references) | |
Czech | díla z mramoru. (various references) | |
Danish | kuglespraengning er en variation af nitrospraengning med en mindre spraengladning,der udnytter den slibende eller skurende effekt af glaskugler,der er anbragt omkring spraengladningen (marble-shooting is a small charge variation of nitro-shooting which utilizes the abrasive or scouring action of glass marbles placed around the charge). (various references) | |
Dutch | de knikkermethode is een op een kleine lading gebaseerde variant van de springstofmethode,waarbij gebruik wordt gemaakt van de schurende of slijpende werking van glazen knikkers die rondom de lading geplaatst worden (marble-shooting is a small charge variation of nitro-shooting which utilizes the abrasive or scouring action of glass marbles placed around the charge). (various references) | |
French | billes. (various references) | |
German | marmoriert (marbled, mottles). (various references) | |
Greek | χάνω μάρμαρα (lose one's marbles), η μέθοδος τορπιλλισμού με σφαίρες είναι μία μικρή παραλλαγή του τορπιλλισμού με νιτρογλυκερίνη.Ξεχωρίζει απ'αυτήν ως προς τη γόμωσή της κα (marble-shooting is a small charge variation of nitro-shooting which utilizes the abrasive or scouring action of glass marbles placed around the charge), ελγίνεια μάρμαρα (elgin marbles), τρελαίνομαι (craze, go crazy, go mad, lose one's marbles, madden). (various references) | |
Hebrew | עשתונות (ideas, self control, thoughts). (various references) | |
Hungarian | golyózás (bowls). (various references) | |
Indonesian | guli. (various references) | |
Italian | lo sparo con graniglia consiste in una piccola variazione di carica negli spari alla nitro,e sfrutta l'azione abrasiva o di erosione dei cristalli di graniglia sistemati attorno alla carica (marble-shooting is a small charge variation of nitro-shooting which utilizes the abrasive or scouring action of glass marbles placed around the charge). (various references) | |
Japanese Kanji | お弾き , 御弾き , 弾き玉 . (various references) | |
Japanese Katakana | おはじき, はじきだま. (various references) | |
Korean | 대리석 (marble). (various references) | |
Manx | marmyreen, jallooyn marmyr. (various references) | |
Pig Latin | arblesmay.(various references) | |
Russian | стеклянные шарики, детская игра в шарики. (various references) | |
Serbo-Croatian | zbirka skulptura, klikeri. (various references) | |
Spanish | perder los estribos (blow one's top, fly off the handle, go berserk, lose one's marbles), la voladura con bolas de vidrio es una pequeña variante de la carga de la voladura con nitroglicerina que aprovecha la accion abrasiva y erosiva de las bolas de vidrio colocadas alrededor de la c arga explosiva (marble-shooting is a small charge variation of nitro-shooting which utilizes the abrasive or scouring action of glass marbles placed around the charge). (various references) | |
Turkish | misketler. (various references) | |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various translation references. | ||
Misspellings | |
"Marbles" is suggested in spellcheckers for the following: Mabbeley, Mabelys, marbel, marbell, marblers, Marbletex, marbley, marbly, marbre, mardles, Marilisa, markless, Marlex, Martles, mauble, meubles, Mirbel, nairules. (additional references) | |
| Source: compiled by the editor, based on several corpora (additional references). | |
| # of Phoneme Matches | Pronunciation | Word(s) rhyming with "marbles" (pronounced mÄ"rbulz) |
| 6 | -Ä" r b u l z | barbels. |
| 4 | -b u l z | ables, ambles, assembles, constables, convertibles, baubles, bibles, brambles, bubbles, cables, cannibals, collectibles, compatibles, crumbles, cymbals, dabbles, decibels, deductibles, disables, disposables, doubles, durables, edibles, enables, ensembles, fables, foibles, fumbles, gables, gambles, gribbles, grumbles, hobbles, humbles, imponderables, intangibles, invisibles, labels, Miserables, mobiles, Mumbles, nibbles, nobles, nondurables, notables, observables, parables, payables, pebbles, portables, quibbles, rebels, receivables, recyclables, resembles, Robles, rubles, rumbles, sables, scrambles, scribbles, shambles, squabbles, stables, stumbles, syllables, symbols, tables, tangibles, taxables, timetables, troubles, tumbles, turntables, untouchables, valuables, variables, vegetables. |
| 3 | -u l z | accruals, acquittals, admirals, advertorials, agrochemicals, angels, angles, animals, ankles, annals, annuals, apostles, apples, appraisals, approvals, archangels, arrivals, arsenals, articles, artiodactyls, australs, axles, continentals, corals, councils, counsels, baffles, bagels, balmorals, barnacles, barrels, battles, beadles, beagles, beetles, befuddles, belittles, betrayals, bicycles, bifocals, bindles, biologicals, biomaterials, biphenyls, bisexuals, boggles, Boodles, boondoggles, bottles, bowels, bristles, brothels, buckles, bugles, bundles, burials, bushels, camels, cancels, candles, capitals, capitols, capsules, cardinals, carnivals, carols, castles, casuals, cathedrals, cereals, channels, chemicals, chisels, chorals, chortles, chronicles, chuckles, circles, colonels, colonials, commercials, confessionals, counterproposals, couples, crackles, cradles, credentials, criminals, cripples, crystals, cubicles, cudgels, cycles, cyclicals, dangles, debacles, decimals, deferrals, denials, dentals, devils, diagonals, dials, diesels, differentials, disciples, dismantles, dismissals, disposals, doodles, dowels, duals, duels, dwindles, eagles, editorials, embezzles, enamels, encyclicals, entitles, entrails, equals, essentials, evangelicals, evils, examples, extraterrestrials, facials, faithfuls, federals, festivals, fiddles, finals, fizzles, flannels, follicles, fossils, freckles, fuels, fundamentals, funerals, funnels, generals, genitals, Gentles, giggles, goggles, Gospels, grackles, granules, grapples, gunnels, guzzles, hackles, handles, hassles, heterosexuals, homosexuals, honeysuckles, hopefuls, hospitals, hostels, hovels, huddles, hurdles, hustles, hymnals, icicles, idles, idols, illegals, immortals, imperils, incidentals, individuals, industrials, infomercials, Ingles, initials, instrumentals, intellectuals, internationals, intervals, jewels, jingles, journals, juggles, jungles, juveniles, kennels, kernels, kestrels, kettles, kittles, knuckles, ladles, laurels, legals, lentils, levels, liberals, littles, locals, madrigals, mammals, mangels, maniples, mantles, manuals, Maples, marshals, marvels, materials, measles, medals, memorials, metacarpals, metals, mickles, microfossils, minerals, mingles, minstrels, miracles, missiles, mistrials, models, moguls, mongols, morals, morsels, mortals, motorcycles, muddles, multinationals, multiples, municipals, murals, muscles, musicals, mussels, muzzles, myrtles, nationals, needles, neoliberals, nestles, nettles, neutrals, nickels, Nickles, nicols, nitriles, nonprofessionals, noodles, nostrils, novels, nozzles, numerals, obstacles, officials, ogles, oodles, oracles, Orientals, originals, ossicles, paddles, panels, panfuls, paralegals, parcels, particles, pedals, peddles, pedestals, pencils, peoples, perennials, perils, periodicals, peripherals, personals, petals, petrels, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, physicals, Pickles, piddles, pimples, pineapples, pistols, pixels, poodles, portals, portrayals, potentials, pretzels, principals, principles, professionals, projectiles, proposals, puddles, pupils, purples, puzzles, quarrels, radials, radicals, raffles, rankles, rascals, rattles, rebuttals, receptacles, recitals, rectangles, recycles, referrals, refusals, regionals, rehearsals, removals, renewals, rentals, reprisals, residuals, revels, reversals, revivals, riddles, rifles, ripples, rituals, rivals, royals, ruffles, runkles, runnels, saddles, samples, sandals, scalpels, scandals, scoundrels, scruples, scuffles, semifinals, sentinels, sequels, serials, settles, shackles, shekels, shingles, shovels, shuffles, shuttles, sickles, signals, singles, skittles, sorrels, sparkles, specials, spectacles, spirals, spirituals, sprinkles, squiggles, squirrels, Staples, startles, stickles, stifles, straddles, struggles, subprincipals, subtitles, supermodels, swindles, swivels, tackles, tangles, Technicals, temples, tentacles, terminals, testicles, testimonials, thistles, throttles, tickles, titles, tonsils, topples, totals, towels, tramples, transsexuals, travels, trials, triangles, tribunals, trickles, trifles, triples, truffles, tunnels, turtles, tussles, tutorials, twinkles, uncles, unicycles, unravels, upheavals, utensils, vandals, varietals, vassals, vehicles, vessels, vials, vigils, visuals, vittles, vocals, vowels, waffles, wattles, weevils, whistles, winkles, withdrawals, wrangles, wrestles, wrinkles. |
Source: compiled by the editor (additional references); see credits. | ||
Scrabble® Enable2K-Verified Anagrams | |
Direct Anagrams: amblers, blamers, lambers, rambles. | |
| Words within the letters "a-b-e-l-m-r-s" | |
-1 letter: ambers, ambler, ambles, balers, blamer, blames, blares, blears, breams, embars, lamber, marble, ramble, realms. | |
-2 letters: abler, ables, almes, amber, amble, arles, baler, bales, balms, bares, barms, baser, beams, bears, bemas, berms, blame, blams, blare, blase, blear, braes, bream, earls, embar, lambs, lamer, lames, lares, laser, lears, mabes, males, mares, marls, marse, maser. | |
| Words containing the letters "a-b-e-l-m-r-s" | |
+1 letter: brambles, clambers, gamblers, gambrels, lamberts, marblers, ramblers, scramble. | |
+2 letters: assembler, beclamors, beglamors, cymbalers, embalmers, emblazers, imbalmers, marbleise, marbliest, miserable, miserably, preambles, scrambled, scrambler, scrambles, subdermal, umbrellas, verbalism. | |
+3 letters: assemblers, beglamours, blasphemer, blastoderm, blastomere, brambliest, bromelains, bromeliads, cablegrams, clamberers, descramble, embrangles, lamebrains, lebensraum, liberalism, lobsterman, marbleised, marbleises, marbleizes, measurable, measurably, mensurable, miserables, mislabored, presumable, presumably, reassemble, reassembly, resemblant, scramblers, unscramble, verbalisms. | |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. | |
| 1. Definition 2. Crosswords 3. Usage: Modern 4. Usage: Commercial | 5. Images: Slideshow 6. Images: Photo Album 7. Images: Digital Art 8. Quotations: Fiction | 9. Usage Frequency 10. Expressions 11. Expressions: Internet 12. Translations: Modern | 13. Derivations 14. Rhymes 15. Anagrams 16. Bibliography |
Copyright © Philip M. Parker, INSEAD. Terms of Use.
