| 释义 |
pebblen. Origin: Of uncertain origin. Perhaps formed within English, by clipping or shortening. Etymon: pebble stone n. Etymology: Origin uncertain; perhaps shortened < pebble stone n., of which the first element is perhaps < classical Latin papula papula n., a word that occurs in Latin-Old English glossaries, but this poses semantic difficulties.Alternatively, the first element of pebble stone n. may be imitative in origin (compare later popple v.1), arising either from the sound pebbles make when walked upon or from the association of pebbles with flowing water. Perhaps compare Frisian †babbel-stientsjes (plural) little round stones washed up at the beach (1869 as babbel-stjintjes ), which could either represent a parallel semantic development in an unrelated word, or show a cognate word later influenced by association with babbelje babble v.1 A number of forms, including the present standard form, may show the results of i-mutation. The β. forms apparently show assimilation of -b- or -bb- to the following -l- . However, the details of the development remain unclear, as the word's origin and original form are so uncertain. Also apparently attested early in place names, as Popeltun (c1025 in a copy of a charter of the late 10th cent.; now Poppleton, West Riding, Yorkshire), Papleuuic (1086; now Papplewick, Nottinghamshire), Poplesford (1226; now Poppleford, Devon). With sense 3c compare earlier pebble v. 3. 1. the world > the earth > structure of the earth > constituent materials > stone > a stone > [noun] > pebble the world > the earth > structure of the earth > structural features > boulder, pebble, or stone formation > [noun] > pebble formation society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > gem or precious stone > pearl > [noun] the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > magnetism > magnetic devices or materials > [noun] > a magnet or loadstone α. OE Ælfric (Royal) (1997) iv. 209 Gað to ðære sæ strande, & feccað me papolstanas. a1425 St. Mary Magdalen (Trin. Cambr.) 388 in (1882) 68 66 Hij sey by þe stronde alute child go pleyȝe wiþ paplis on his honde to-voren hem in þe weyȝe. 1825 J. Jennings 61 Popple, a pebble. 1863 W. Barnes 50 Up above the clear brook that did slide By the popples. 1888 F. T. Elworthy at Popple They there white popples be the best vor pitchin' of a path like thick there. 1973 C. Marten 29 Popple, pebble... Popple-stones, pebbles. 1982 B. G. Charles 37/1 Popple, Pobble, a pebble, cobble. society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > stone or rock > [noun] > pebbles as material α. ?1574 W. Bourne xxii. f. 60 You shall finde .38. fadome, and poppell as bigge as beanes. the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or extraordinary > [noun] > fact of being unparalleled or unique > that which is unique > a unique thing or person 1896 H. Braisted (title of song) You're not the only pebble on the beach. 1924 H. de Sélincourt v. 156 There were other pebbles on the beach beside him. 1933 D. L. Sayers 193 The Birmingham–London express reached Rugby at 10.24, departing again at 10.28. But, swift and impressive as it was, it was not the only, or the most important, pebble on the station beach, for over against it upon the down line was the Irish Mail. 1977 June 87/1 He was not the only pebble on the Middlesbrough beach. 1992 20 June 28/1 There's no escaping the fact that someone you fancy could well give you the flick, but worry not, there's plenty more pebbles on the beach, and nicer shaped ones too! 2. the world > the earth > structure of the earth > constituent materials > stone > a stone > [noun] > other stones 1669 S. Sturmy v. xii. 54 The proper Stone for this purpose [sc. substituting for iron shot] is Marble, Pibble, Blew hand Stone; (there may be a little difference in weight in some sort of Stone: but these do neer agree in weight). the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > optical instruments > materials > [noun] the world > health and disease > healing > ophthalmology or optometry > aids to defective vision > [noun] > spectacles > lens of spectacles > types of the world > the earth > minerals > types of mineral > silicates > tectosilicate > [noun] > quartz > crystalline quartzes > rock crystal 1688 R. Holme ii. 39/2 The Christal, and Bristow Stone, or Pipple. ?1793 (W. & S. Jones) 1 Best double-jointed standard gold spectacles with pebbles. 1812 S. T. Coleridge (1959) III. 372 The Brasil pebble, when cut and set, looks as bright as the diamond, but not so radiant. 1870 Oct. 299/3 We can..not seriously enough warn those who wish to preserve their eyes against the use of the injurious pebble. 1889 at Brazilian Brazilian pebbles, lenses for spectacles ground from pure, colorless rock-crystal obtained from Brazil. society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > gem or precious stone > rock crystal > [noun] > chalcedony > agate the world > the earth > minerals > types of mineral > silicates > tectosilicate > [noun] > quartz > cryptocrystalline quartz > chalcedony > agate 1695 J. Woodward 181 Flints, Agates, Onyxes, Pebles, Jaspers, Cornelions. 1710 R. Sibbald (1803) 140 Some of these peebles are of a clear and white perspicuous colour, some are like agates. 1774 T. Pennant (1776) 23 June I. 212 Sardonyxes; and other beautiful stones, indiscriminately called Scotch pebbles. 1847 H. Miller xiv. 257 Like one of our Scotch pebbles, so common..in their rude state. 1875 E. Meteyard 245 The crystalline terra-cotta vases continued to be made..—particularly the imitations of pebble, Egyptian pebble, green jasper, [etc.]. 1987 Dec. 70/3 ‘Scotch pebbles’, as they used to be called, are a micro-crystalline form of a quartz, called chalcedony, which was deposited within former gas cavities in certain types of basalt that were violently erupted 400 million years ago. 3. society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > clay compositions > baked clay > pottery or ceramics > [noun] > English pottery > by Wedgwood > types of 1768 J. Wedgwood Let. to Bentley 21 Nov. in (1866) II. 97 We can make things for mounting with great facility and dispatch, and mounting will enhance their value greatly... Pebble will in this way scarcely be discover'd to be counterfeit. 1776 J. Wedgwood Let. 27 Jan. in E. Meteyard (1873) 44 I observe what you say about Pebble vases... If we mean the general complexion of the pebble to be light, and they meet with a heavy fire in the biskit oven, the..tints will be many shades darker than intended. 1875 E. Meteyard 405 Pebble, a generic term applied to the various crystalline terra-cotta bodies; but more especially applied to those which in mixture of colours approach nearest to the natural stone, as agate, granite, and serpentine. 1996 (Nexis) Apr. 16 The information that Pebble Vases cost at least one-fifth more than Black, led Wedgwood to standardise, and in many cases reduce, his prices. society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > missile > ammunition for firearms > [noun] > explosive for use with firearms > in specific form or state 1872 9 Mar. 625/2 The Americans..seem to have altogether abandoned this form in favour of large-grained powder of a similar class to pebble. 1880 XI. 328/1 Large cannon powder, such as ‘pebble’..is..enclosed in cases. 1892 50 410 An amide powder..gives rise to a smoke much less dense and much more rapidly dispersed than is the case with pebble and other similar powders. society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > leather > [noun] > patterned granular surface 1875 E. H. Knight III. 1646/2 In the pebbling-machine, the skin is subjected to the action of a roller with a surface the reverse of the grain or pebble to be produced. 1885 C. T. Davis xxix. 500 The waxed or colored split is stained on the flesh side, and it is strictly known as the ‘colored pebble’. 2002 (Nexis) 1 Apr. 90 Rock Slide, a soft vegetable retanned leather with great handle, attractive surface feel and subtle minimalist pebble. the world > action or operation > difficulty > [noun] > that which is difficult > a difficult thing or person the mind > emotion > courage > bravery or boldness > [adjective] > exceedingly brave the world > animals > domestic animal > [noun] > livestock > member of livestock > unmanageable 1829 P. Egan New Ser. II. 20 Hudson, as game as a pebble, stuck to his man like glue. 1848 29 June 2/4 A carpenter showed a note in one of the public houses in town which circumstance having been observed by three ‘pebbles’, who were watching him outside, they followed him till he got opposite the Church, when they attacked and attempted to rob him. 1851 W. T. Moncrieff Scamps of London III. i. 56 in I Now, my pebbles, I'll give you a toast. 1874 M. Clarke iv. vii. 415 ‘You're not such a pebble as folks seem to think,’ grinned Frere. 1888 ‘R. Boldrewood’ III. ix. 123 Then the Turon favourite—a real game pebble of a little horse—began to show up. 1921 D. Grant 93 In this shop were the men who are known in gaol as ‘Pebbles’, that is the hard doers. 1962 D. Mclean 10 You're new round here and I think I ought to warn you that those two pebbles you was talkin' to would oozle the eyes out of y'r head. 1997 10 Dec. 19/2 I told Lorcan not to ask Golden Hello any serious question until he needed to, but the horse is as game as a pebble. the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > Heterocera > [noun] > family Notodontidae > member of genus Notodonta > notodonta ziczac 1832 J. Rennie 33 The Pebble (N. ziczac, Ochsenheimer). 1854 524 Cabbage-garden Pebble Moth.—Of the family Pyralidæ.., this species only deserves to be mentioned, as its caterpillar sometimes greatly injures several sorts of vegetables. 1951 (Royal Hort. Soc.) III. 1509/1 Pebble Moth, see Garden Pebble Moth. 1987 45 283 (heading) The effect of a chemical deterrent, released from the frass of caterpillars of the garden pebble moth, on cabbage root fly oviposition. Compounds C1. the world > the earth > structure of the earth > constituent materials > stone > a stone > [adjective] > pebble society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > gem or precious stone > rock crystal > [adjective] > chalcedony > agate lOE Bounds (Sawyer 857) in J. M. Kemble (1845) III. 219 Of ðam ellene to populfinige; of populfinige to Lambhyrste. a1170 (?OE) Bounds (Sawyer 567) in S. E. Kelly (2001) 211 Þæt adune be broce oð pyppel [a1225 pippel] riðiges ut scyte,..þæt to pyppel [a1225 pippel] bricge. a1618 J. Sylvester tr. G. Fracastoro Maidens Blush in tr. G. de S. Du Bartas (1621) 819 As burnisht Gold amid a heape of Sand, Or Orient Pearle among the Pebble Strand, Such seemed He, among tenne thousand Squires. 1679 J. Berkenhead in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher sig. A3v/2 We ebb down dry to pebble-Anagrams; Dead and insipid, all despairing sit. 1725 A. Ramsay iii. i. 35 Round the figur'd Green and Peeble Walks. 1796 W. Combe II. 279 Four large stones..which seem to be of the pebble kind. 1818 J. Keats ii. 58 My veined pebble-floor. 1848 W. M. Thackeray lviii. 525 Her mamma's..large pebble brooch. 1860 H. Miller 406 The whole cliff is composed of the very same stone as the pebble ridge. 1868 T. F. Cronise 127 The famous pebble beach is near this town, where agates, opals, jaspers, carnelians, and other silicious stones..are found in great abundance. 1926 N. Munro Coal Crisis in B. D. Osborne & R. Armstrong (1993) i. lxxxi. 312 Ye should take it to the lapidaries and get it cut into Scotch pebble-brooches. 1989 B. Stonehouse (BNC) 153 Adelies..lay two eggs in pebble nests in October and November. 2001 (Nexis) 12 Aug. The ground floor looks out on a pebble bank keeping the tide at bay. 1813 C. Quigley 48 Here fops, in abundance, to glance at the lasses, Make a practice of wearing pebble eye glasses. 1823 J. Mawe (rev. ed.) ii. 119 Larger pieces [of crystal] are cut for the glasses of spectacles, hence called Pebble Spectacles. 1889 G. M. Hopkins xii. 242 Brazilian pebble spectacle lenses often show gorgeous colors when turned at different angles in the beam of polarized light. 1933 C. St. J. Sprigg i. 14 His beady eyes regarded the Chief coldly behind his pebble eye-glasses. 1964 R. Church viii. 166 Thick, pebble lenses, flashed at me like headlamps. 1990 P. Melville (1991) 80 Lily was yelling through the plastic front of the kiosk to a hunch-back woman with thick pebble glasses. C2. a. Appositive. 1818 J. Keats ii. 60 Free from the smallest pebble-bead of doubt. a1728 J. Woodward (1729) 32 A Peble, about the bigness of a Wallnut. 'Tis wholly pellucid... This kind the Lapidaries call Peble-Crystal. 1855 May 494/2 Long and slender, fit to be the sceptre of the earth's sovereign, the pebble-crystal shines and glitters in the mines of Hungary. 1998 (Nexis) 31 Oct. 5 Kors used colours like iced aquamarine and seafoam for strapless sheaths, which he then covered with glistening pebble crystals. b. Instrumental. 1856 S. Davison Let. 13 Aug. in W. B. Clarke (1860) iv. 50 Pebble-covered local gold in evenly-spread beds or linear troughs of leads or gutters. 2003 (Nexis) 26 Aug. Capri's pebble-covered beaches aren't good for walks or stretching out on a beach towel. society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > paving and road-building > [adjective] > paved > with specific material 1597 G. Markham tr. G. Pétau de Maulette f. 1 I walkt alongst a streame..for it did acquaint The dullest sight with all the glorious pray That in the pibble-paued channell lay. 1826 W. C. Bryant I Cannot Forget in Feb. 217 The rush of the pebble-paved river. 1859 12 Mar. 353/1 A pebble-paved jetty. 1993 A. L. Hall (BNC) 95 I am relieved when we reach the drive of Kim's house, pebble-paved, warmly lit. society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > paving and road-building > [adjective] > paved > with specific material 1821 P. B. Shelley 28 The pebble-paven shore. 1893 J. Davidson 45 And all about the air that softly comes, Thridding the hedge-rows with its noiseless feet, The purling waves with muffled elfin drums, that step along their pebble-paven street. a1847 E. Cook xiv Clear ripples flow'd On their serpentine way o'er the pebble-strewn road. 1925 W. F. Hume I. iv. 88 The same undulating ‘serir’ pebble-strewn country extends to the west of the Nile Valley. 2000 12 Mar. (Seven Days section) 2/1 Another pebble-strewn plowter around Loch Lomond. C3. the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > mental wandering > abstraction, absent-mindedness > [adjective] the mind > possession > poverty > [adjective] > poor > very poor or destitute 1890 in A. Barrère & C. G. Leland II. 120/2 He had arrived at a crisis of impecuniosity compared to which the small circumstance of being pebble-beached and stony-broke might be described as comparative affluence. 1897 3 July 1/4 She was absolutely stony, pebble-beached to all the world. 1934 P. G. Wodehouse xvii. 216 Gussie..switched on that pebble-beached smile again and tacked down to the edge of the platform. the world > the earth > structure of the earth > constituent materials > rock > composite rock > [noun] > conglomerate > specific 1849 J. Prestwich in 5 46 To commence with the pebble bed ‘b’. 1914 J. Park xxviii. 377 The three main divisions of the Trias recognised in the British Isles are:—3. Rhætic... 2. Keuper... 1. Bunter... The Bunter consists of red and variously hued sandstones and conglomerates or pebble beds of fluviatile or fluvio-lacustrine origin. 1961 16 Mar. 695/1 W. Germany is to have what is probably the first operational ‘pebble-bed’ reactor... The fuel elements are balls of graphite with centres of uranium carbide. 1969 G. M. Bennison & A. E. Wright xii. 274 The Bunter Pebble Beds characteristically occur in the Midlands... The name Pebble Beds is a descriptive term and the formation comprises sandstone with pebbles. 1989 4 Nov. 60/2 West German reactors use a ‘pebble bed’ core in which the fuel particles are contained within small spheres of graphite, 6 centimetres across. the world > the earth > structure of the earth > structural features > boulder, pebble, or stone formation > [noun] > pebble formation 1868 E. FitzGerald tr. (ed. 2) xlviii. 10 [The world] of our Coming and Departure heeds As much as Ocean of a pebble-cast. society > occupation and work > equipment > tool > types of tools generally > prehistoric tool > [noun] > types of 1895 8 328 They still practiced [sic] edging their hard pebble-choppers..by seizing them with both hands—the more accurately to direct them—and whacking them until chipped sharp obliquely against other stones. 1959 J. D. Clark v. 115 Some of these flakes were struck from cores and were not simply the waste flakes removed in preparing the pebble-chopper. 2003 (Nexis) 18 July 22 More than a million years separates the pebble chopper from the hand axe. society > society and the community > customs, values, and civilization > a civilization or culture > [noun] > types of prehistoric culture 1931 J. D. Solomon in L. S. B. Leakey 264 Mr. C. van Riet Lowe..has studied the terraces of the Vaal River, and finds... (i) High terrace, with coarse gravel containing what may be a pebble-culture. 1955 Aug. 50/2 He has found two teeth of the man-ape in a deposit together with crudely chipped stone tools of the ‘pebble culture’. 1983 24 665/1 My 1975–77 research on the Clactonian..is still widely accepted as an offshoot of the so-called pebble culture (or tradition), i.e., a nonhandaxe industrial complex, therefore non-Acheulean. society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > leather > [noun] > patterned granular surface society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > leather > [adjective] > having specific grain 1876 (U.S. Centennial Commission) 115/1 Pebble grain, imitation goat, buff, and split leather. 1897 No. 104. 194/3 Child's pebble grain school shoe. 1969 R. T. Wilcox (1970) 263/2 Pebble grain,..a leather, imitation leather or fabric given a grained surface by running it between rollers under pressure. 2003 (Nexis) 23 Nov. c2 I can feel their firm pebble-grain leather surrounding my feet. society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > leather > [adjective] > having specific grain the world > health and disease > healing > ophthalmology or optometry > aids to defective vision > [adjective] > types of spectacles > types of spectacle lens the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > footwear > shoe or boot > [adjective] > other 1943 30 630/2 Broad papillae resembling pebble-grained leather. 1971 ‘O. Bleeck’ (1972) xiv. 123 His black, pebble-grained loafers were burnished and gleaming. 1973 W. M. Duncan i. 10 Pale blue eyes which stared myopically from behind thick pebble-grained glasses. 1997 (Nexis) Aug. 60 Her green pebble-grained suitcase was open and showed two small stacks of perfectly folded clothes. the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > hard-heartedness > [adjective] the mind > emotion > absence of emotion > [adjective] > callous or hard-hearted 1816 W. Scott in Oct. 198 Like Lance's pebble-hearted cur. 1887 F. T. Marzials v. 64 I am afraid I must be rather pebble-hearted. 1998 (Nexis) 22 Nov. a22 The pebble-hearted culture of rationalising and down-sizing. the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > Heterocera > [noun] > family Notodontidae > member of genus Platypterx > platypteryx falcula 1775 M. Harris 49 Tip, pibble hook. 1869 E. Newman 207 The Pebble Hook-tip. 1983 Spring 49 (caption) Because they allow a dense understorey to spring up..birches harbour many insects such as the pebble hooktip. society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > leather > [noun] > leather finished in specific way 1880 12 June 1 (advt.) Ladies' pebble leather laced. 2001 (Nexis) 11 Sept. a2 A strokably soft teal pebble leather Fendi slouch bag. 1968 F. Mullally iii. 21 The woman..hesitated, blinking at Sullivan through pebble-lensed glasses. 1977 ‘E. Crispin’ xiii. 284 Long-haired, pebble-lensed cissies in white coats. 1998 31 Dec. 4/3 He had to dispense with his pebble-lensed glasses and grope his way to the scene of the tragedy as best he could. society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > paving and road-building > [noun] > paving > types of paved work 1819 P. Nicholson II. 266/2 Pebble-paving..is done with stones collected from the sea-beach. 1875 E. H. Knight Pebble-paving, pavement laid with pebbles from 3 to 4 inches deep. When larger stones are used, it is known as bowlder-paving. 1989 (Nexis) 7 Oct. Red tile set on edge was to be used for the centrepiece, Portland stone for the surround, brown pebble paving for an infill. society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > missile > ammunition for firearms > [noun] > explosive for use with firearms > in specific form or state 1870 5 Apr. 4/5 We heartily agree with the recommendation of the Committee that pebble powder No. 5 should be adopted and manufactured at once for all heavy guns. 1880 3 Feb. 11/2 The explosion of the double charge—close upon 200lb. of pebble powder—will prove a severe strain upon the cell. the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > Heterocera > [noun] > family Notodontidae > member of genus Notodonta > notodonta ziczac 1869 E. Newman 231 The Pebble Prominent. 1967 E. B. Ford (ed. 2) vii. 98 Some larvae are curiously humped and angled, as is the Pebble Prominent. 1984 B. Skinner 72/1 Pebble Prominent Eligmodonta ziczac..Resident. Comes regularly to light. society > occupation and work > equipment > tool > types of tools generally > prehistoric tool > [noun] > types of 1931 J. D. Solomon in L. S. B. Leakey 263 We thus seem to have the following succession of events in East Africa during the Pleistocene: (i) Wet period..which coincided with the epoch of the man who made pebble-tools (Kafuan). 1959 J. D. Clark iv. 74 It is an open question whether Australopithecus could have made pebble-tools, the earliest examples of intentionally made implements known. 1994 7 May 39/1 The earliest known stone tools appear in the archaeological record about 2.5 million years ago. These were simple pebble tools and sharp flakes of stone. the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular food plant or plant product > particular fodder plants > [noun] > cultivated vetch 1677 R. Plot 240 When..they sow Peas on [Clay] Land, the best husbandman will chuse the Vale-gray as most proper for it; and if Vetches, the Gore or Pebble-vetch. a1722 E. Lisle (1757) 125 The pebble-vetch is a summer-vetch, different from the goar-vetch and not so big; they call it also the rath-ripe vetch. 1763 J. Mills I. 475 The small black-seeded vetch, which some call rathripe, and others pebble, or summer vetch. 1904 at Pebble sb. Pebble-ware. 1959 J. R. Bernasconi 160 Pebble Ware, a kind of pottery ware made by Wedgwood. The method employed was to mix different coloured clays in the paste, with the result that the finished article resembled serpentine, porphyry, etc. the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > [noun] > weaving > other methods of weaving 1941 89 40 The floor is close-carpeted with a grey ‘pebble-weave’ material. 1958 Mar. 3 (advt.) Classic casual in pebbleweave. 1995 (Nexis) 21 Nov. c2 I like suits like this in lightweight herringbones, twills and pebble weaves. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022). pebblev. Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: pebble n. the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific thing > strike with specific thing [verb (transitive)] > strike with an object > with something thrown 1605 G. Chapman et al. iii. sig. D3v Wee'd so peble 'hem with snowe bals as they come from Church. 1816 W. Scott II. iii. 62 The peasants..betook themselves to stones, and having pebbled the priest pretty handsomely, they drove him out of the parish. 1890 24 May 6 Many of the occupants of British glass houses are angry with one of their janitors for having denied them the delightful..amusement of pebbling their Muscovite neighbours. 1987 (Nexis) 11 Sept. a6 A gray rain pebbling the river's surface and traffic boiling down the Parkway in clouds of spray. 2000 (Nexis) 24 June Assailants one day opened fire on the Mugabe residence, pebbling the walls with bullets. society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > paving and road-building > pave or build roads [verb (transitive)] > pave > pave with specific material 1835 W. Beckford 9 For the wise purpose of pebbling alleys in quaint Mosaic patterns. 1869 J. W. Meader 27 Crystal streams whose beds were pebbled with the richest gems. 1956 11 Oct. 6/6 It is a work pebbled with statistics. 2004 (Nexis) 22 Feb. 6 The nearby, beautiful Preseli Hills, ancient grounds pebbled with stone circles and mysterious standing stones. society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with skins > work with skins [verb (transitive)] > other processes 1862 Sept. 157/1 I claim the above-described machine for pebbling or figuring leather. 1885 C. T. Davis xxvi. 454 In currying it [sc. Martin's Machine] will ‘set out’, pebble, ‘stone out’..entirely without hand labour. 1885 C. T. Davis xxvi. 467 Patents..for Pebbling Leather. 2002 (Nexis) 7 May d1 Leather bags may also feature textured top-notes, such as weaves or braids or may be pebbled, tooled or etched. 2003 (Nexis) 9 July 5 a He and his wife often appeared together in matching coats of yellow plastic pebbled to look like leather. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022). <  n.OE v.1605 |
