n. & v.
--n.
1. a wonderful thing.
2 (foll. by of) a wonderful example of (a quality).
--v.intr. (marvelled, marvelling; US marveled, marveling) literary 1 (foll. by at, or that + clause) feel surprise or wonder.
2 (foll. by how, why, etc. + clause) wonder.
Phrases and idioms:
marvel of Peru a showy garden plant, Mirabilis jalapa, with flowers opening in the afternoon.
Derivatives:
marveller n.
Etymology: ME f. OF merveille, merveiller f. LL mirabilia neut. pl. of L mirabilis f. mirari wonder at: see MIRACLE