onyx marble

noun

1. Mexican onyx.
2. any compact, banded calcareous tufa that can be given a high polish.

Word History and Origins

Origin of onyx marble¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Seen from orbit, the planet was a shiny onyx marble covered in overlapping spiderwebs of pulsating light.

From Literature

Stalagmite sheets are sometimes composed of variegated, laminated layers, and when polished produce a beautiful decorative stone which passes under the name of onyx marble.

From Project Gutenberg

Important mines of gold and silver, considerable deposits of wolframite, valuable ores of molybdenum and vanadium, and quarries of onyx marble, are also worked.

From Project Gutenberg

The onyx marble mantel-piece contained but a single ornament—an orchestra.

From Project Gutenberg