Manuale, R. (manus, the hand). A wooden case for a book.
Manuballista, R. A hand-ballista. (See Arcuballista.)
Manubrium, R. (i. e. what is borne in the hand). A general term for a handle of any kind. (See Fig. [377].)
Manus Ferrea, R. Literally, a hand of iron; an iron hook which served as a grappling-iron, differing from the harpaga, as it was launched at the end of a chain, while the harpaga was fixed on a long beam (asser).
Marble. The finest for statuary, from Carrara, is of a pure white; that from Paros is of a waxy cream colour; others coloured with metallic oxides are available for ornamental purposes. Many cements have been produced as “artificial marble.” (See Scagliola.)
Marble Silk had a weft of several colours so woven as to make the whole web look like marble stained with a variety of tints. On the 6th of November, 1551, “the old qwyne of Schottes rod thrught London; then cam the lord tresorer with a C. great horsse and ther cotes of marbull.” Its use prevailed for three centuries.
Marbling “is an art which consists in the production of certain patterns and effects by means of colours so prepared as to float on a mucilaginous liquid. While so floating they form into patterns, which are taken off on to a sheet of paper (for book-covers), or to the smoothly cut edges of a book, by dipping.” (Woolnough, The Whole Art of Marbling, 1881.)
Marcus, R. A blacksmith’s hammer; a sledge-hammer. (See Malleus.)
Mardelles, Margelles, or Marges, Celt. Excavations met with in several parts of Europe, supposed to be Celtic.
Mark, O. E. An ancient coin, value 13s. 4d.; formerly the equivalent of 30 silver pennies.