Sometimes cipollino. [a. F. cipolin, ad. It. cipollino, der. of cipolla onion; so called from its foliated structure like the coats of an onion.] An Italian marble interfoliated with veins of talc, mica, quartz, etc., showing alternations of various coloring, especially white and green.
1798. Phil. Trans., LXXXVIII. 412. The texture of the matrix appears … often compact, like cipoline or primitive marble.
1811. Pinkerton, Petral., I. 467. The cipolin … sometimes, though rarely, appears in level layers, divided by foliaceous mica. Ibid., I. 470. The mountains are all calcareous, with undulated veins mixed with mica, forming a fine cipolino.
1837. Penny Cycl., VII. 182/2. Cipolin … gives fire with steel, though with difficulty.
1863. Sir G. Scott, Glean. Westm. Ab. (ed. 2), 98. Cippolino … is a white marble with green streaks.
