Terminology index:

M

• machine finish

  the generally recognized standard machine finish produced by the planers.
  
  

• malpais

  literally, badland; refers to dark colored rock, commonly lava, in rough terrain. As defined for architectural use; calcium carbonate with other components which give it color, markings, and texture suitable as a desirable building stone.
  
  

• marble

  a metamorphic limestone in a more or less crystalline state capable of taking a high polish. Occurs in a wide range of colors and variations. Marble that contains less than five percent magnesium carbonate may be termed calcite marble; from 5 to 40 percent magnesium carbonate, magnesian or dolomitic marble; and more than 40 percent dolomite marble. These limiting values are, however, not strictly established in petrologic science and are used herein as arbitrary limits.
  
  

• onyx

  so called in trade, is a crystalline form, commonly microcrystalline, of calcium carbonate deposited usually from cold water solutions. It is generally translucent and shows a characteristic layering. The term onyx marble is technically a misnomer, as true onyx is a variety of cryptocrystalline fibrous silica (chalcedony), and is closely related in form and origin to agate.
  
  

• serpetinev marble characterized by a prominent amount of the mineral serpentine.
  
  

  travertine

  a form of limestone precipitated from ground waters, as in caves or in orifices of springs (see limestone group).
  
  

  verde antique

  a commercial marble composed chiefly of massive serpentine and capable of taking a high degree of polish. Verde antique is not a true marble in the scientific sense, but is commonly sold as a decorative commercial marble and requires the adjectival modifier verde (or verd) antique. Verde antique is commonly veined with carbonate minerals, chiefly calcite and dolomite.
  
  

  masonry

  built up construction, usually of a combination of materials set in mortar.
  
  

  metamorphism

  the change or alteration in a rock caused by exterior agencies, such as deep-seated heat and pressure, or intrusion of rock materials.
  
  

  miter

  the junction of two units at an angle of which the junction lines usually bisect on a 45 degree angle.
  
  

  modular multiple-cut (pattern-cut)

  this refers to standard patterns used throughout the stone industry. These patterns are usually based on multiples of a given height. Stone that is multiple cut or pattern cut is pre-cut to allow typically for ¼ or ½ inch (6 or 13 mm) joints or beds.
  
  

  moldings

  decorative stone deviating from a plane surface by projections, curved profiles, recessed or any combination thereof.
  
  

  mortar

  a plastic mixture of cement, lime, sand, and water used to bond masonry units.
  
  

  mosaic

  a veneering which is generally irregular with no definite pattern. Nearly all the stone used in a mosaic pattern is irregular in shape.