- mark
-
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English mearc boundary, march, sign; akin to Old High German marha boundary, Latin margo
Date: before 12th century
1. a boundary land
2.
a.
(1) a conspicuous object serving as a guide for travelers
(2) something (as a line, notch, or fixed object) designed to record position
b. one of the bits of leather or colored bunting placed on a sounding line at intervals
c. target
d. the starting line or position in a track event
e.
(1) goal, object
(2) an object of attack, ridicule, or abuse; specifically a victim or prospective victim of a swindle
(3) the point under discussion
(4) condition of being correct or accurate <her observations are on the mark> f. a standard of performance, quality, or condition ; norm <not feeling up to the mark lately> 3. a. (1) sign, indication <gave her the necklace as a mark of his esteem> (2) an impression (as a scratch, scar, or stain) made on something (3) a distinguishing trait or quality ; characteristic <the marks of an educated person> b. a symbol used for identification or indication of ownership c. a cross made in place of a signature d. (1) trademark (2) capitalized — used with a numeral to designate a particular model of a weapon or machine <Mark II> e. a written or printed symbol (as a comma or colon) f. postmark g. a symbol used to represent a teacher's estimate of a student's work or conduct; especially grade h. a figure registering a point or level reached or achieved <the halfway mark in the first period of play>; especially record 4. a. attention, notice <nothing worthy of mark> b. importance, distinction <stands out as a person of mark> c. a lasting or strong impression d. an assessment of merits ; rating <got high marks for honesty> Synonyms: see sign II. verb Etymology: Middle English, from Old English mearcian; akin to Old High German marcōn to mark, determine the boundaries of, Old English mearc boundary Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. a. (1) to fix or trace out the bounds or limits of (2) to plot the course of ; chart b. to set apart by or as if by a line or boundary — usually used with off 2. a. (1) to designate as if by a mark (2) to make or leave a mark on (3) to furnish with natural marks <wings marked with white> (4) to label so as to indicate price or quality (5) to make notations in or on b. (1) to make note of in writing ; jot <marking the date in his journal> (2) to indicate by a mark or symbol <mark an accent> (3) register, record (4) to determine the value of by means of marks or symbols ; grade <mark term papers> c. (1) characterize, distinguish <the flamboyance that marks her style> (2) signalize <this year marks our 50th anniversary> 3. to take notice of ; observe <mark my words> 4. to pick up (one's golf ball) from a putting green and substitute a marker intransitive verb to take careful notice III. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English marc, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse mǫrk mark; akin to Old English mearc sign Date: before 12th century 1. any of various old European units of weight used especially for gold and silver; especially a unit equal to about eight ounces (248 grams) 2. a unit of value: a. an old English unit equal to 13s 4d b. any one of various old Scandinavian or German units of value; specifically a unit and corresponding silver coin of the 16th century worth 1/2 taler c. (1) deutsche mark (2) the basic monetary unit of East Germany replaced in 1990 by the West German deutsche mark d. markka
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.