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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Marbre, Marbyr, n. Also: myrber; and Maber. [ME. (13th c.) and e.m.E. marbre, e.m.E. marber, F. marbre. Cf. also Marbil(l n.]

1. Marble. Also Marbre-stane n.Table of marbre, the marble table at which sat the superior judges of the French admiralty.(1) a1400 Leg. S. l. 579.
A tempill gret of marbre clene c1420 Wynt. v. 239.
Off marbyr gude Wytht syment lyme or wytht hewyn stane He made the wallis Ib. 5410.
Grawyn in fyne marbyr Ib. 2584. Ib. vi. 1423. 1456 Hay I. 64/23. a1585 Maitl. Q. xlviii. 77.
Brichter … Then marbre poleist clein(2) 1493 Acta Aud. 181/2.
Be James Disome lecenciat in the law & leutenent generale at the table of marbre in the palace of Paris vnder … Loweis lord Grauil … gret admirall of France

b. Attrib. as adj. c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 34.
Ane marbre tabile coverit wes befoir thai thre ladeis

2. A piece or block of marble.Plur. as coll., the deposit(s) of marble in a quarry or group of quarries. 1591 Mining Rec. 25.
Albeit … the laird of Edȝel and Mr Lok be aggreit anent the set of the myrbers … I … hes formit the contract of the marbers 1592 Ib. 35.
The saids quarreis of marberis and staines [in Glenesk]

3. A slab of marble for grinding powders on. 16.. Alchem. MSS. V.
Spanish salt … massine it vpon a marbre very small