Mar"ma*tite (?), n. [Cf. F. marmatite.] (Min.) A ferruginous variety of
shalerite or zinc blende, nearly black in color.
Mar"mo*lite (-m*lt), n. [Gr. maramai`rein to sparkle + -lite.] (Min.) A
thin, laminated variety of serpentine, usually of a pale green color.
Mar`mo*ra"ceous (?), a. [L. marmor marble. See Marble.] Pertaining to,
or like, marble.
{ Mar"mo*rate (?), Mar"mo*ra`ted (?), } a. [L. marmoratus, p. p. of
marmorate to overlay with marble, fr. marmor marble.] Variegated like
marble; covered or overlaid with marble. [R.]
Mar`mo*ra"tion (?), n. [L. marmoratio.] A covering or incrusting with
marble; a casing of marble; a variegating so as to resemble marble.
[R.]
||Mar`mo*ra`tum o"pus (?). [L. See Marmorate, and Opus.] (Arch.) A kind
||of hard finish for plasterwork, made of plaster of Paris and marble
||dust, and capable of taking a high polish.
{ Mar*mo"re*al (?), Mar*mo"re*an (?), } a. [L. marmoreus, fr. marmor
marble: cf. F. marmoréen. See Marble.] Pertaining to, or resembling,
marble; made of marble.
||Mar`mo*ro"sis (?), n. [NL.] (Geol.) The metamorphism of limestone,
||that is, its conversion into marble. Geikie.
Mar"mose` (?), n. [F.] (Zoöl.) A species of small opossum (Didelphus
murina) ranging from Mexico to Brazil.
Mar"mo*set` (?), n. [F. marmouset a grotesque figure, an ugly little
boy, prob. fr. LL. marmoretum, fr. L. marmor marble. Perhaps confused
with marmot. See Marble.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of small
South American monkeys of the genera Hapale and Midas, family Hapalidæ.
They have long soft fur, and a hairy, nonprehensile tail. They are
often kept as pets. Called also squirrel monkey.
Mar"mot (?), n. [It. marmotta, marmotto, prob. fr. L. mus montanus, or
mus montis, lit., mountain mouse or rat. See Mountain, and Mouse.] 1.
(Zoöl.) Any rodent of the genus Arctomys. The common European marmot
(A. marmotta) is about the size of a rabbit, and inhabits the higher
regions of the Alps and Pyrenees. The bobac is another European
species. The common American species (A. monax) is the woodchuck.
2. Any one of several species of ground squirrels or gophers of the
genus Spermophilus; also, the prairie dog.
Marmot squirrel (Zoöl.), a ground squirrel or spermophile. -- Prairie
marmot. See Prairie dog.
Mar"mottes oil` (?). A fine oil obtained from the kernel of Prunus
brigantiaca. It is used instead of olive or almond oil. De Colange.
Mar"mo*zet` (?), n. See Marmoset.
Ma*rone" (?), n. See Maroon, the color.
Mar"o*nite (?), n.; pl. Maronites (&?;). (Eccl. Hist.) One of a body of
nominal Christians, who speak the Arabic language, and reside on Mount
Lebanon and in different parts of Syria. They take their name from one
Maron of the 6th century.
Ma*roon" (?), n. [Written also marroon.] [F. marron, abbrev. fr. Sp.
cimarron wild, unruly, from cima the summit of a mountain; hence, negro
cimarron a runaway negro that lives in the mountains.] In the West
Indies and Guiana, a fugitive slave, or a free negro, living in the
mountains.
Ma*roon", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Marooned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Marooning.]
[See Maroon a fugitive slave.] To put (a person) ashore on a desolate
island or coast and leave him to his fate.
Marooning party, a social excursion party that sojourns several days on
the shore or in some retired place; a prolonged picnic. [Southern U.
S.] Bartlett.
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Ma*roon" (m*rn"), a. [F. marron chestnut-colored, fr. marron a large
French chestnut, It. marrone; cf. LGr. ma`raon. Cf. Marron.] Having the
color called maroon. See 4th Maroon.
Maroon lake, lake prepared from madder, and distinguished for its
transparency and the depth and durability of its color.
Ma*roon", n. 1. A brownish or dull red of any description, esp. of a
scarlet cast rather than approaching crimson or purple.