| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000. |
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| mark1 |
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| PRONUNCIATION: |  märk |
| NOUN: | 1. A visible trace or impression, such as a line or spot. 2. A sign, such as a cross, made in lieu of a signature. 3. A written or printed symbol used for punctuation; a punctuation mark. 4a. A number, letter, or symbol used to indicate various grades of academic achievement: got a mark of 95 instead of 100. b. An appraisal; a rating. Often used in the plural: earned high marks from her superiors. 5a. An inscription, name, stamp, label, or seal placed on an article to signify ownership, quality, manufacture, or origin. b. A notch in an animal's ear or hide indicating ownership. 6. Nautical a. A knot or piece of material placed at various measured lengths on a sounding line to indicate the depth of the water. b. A Plimsoll mark. 7a. A distinctive trait or property: Good manners are the mark of a civilized person. b. A lasting effect: The experience had left its mark. c. Mark A particular mode, brand, size, or quality of a product, especially a weapon or machine. 8. A recognized standard of quality: schoolwork that is not up to the mark. 9a. Importance; prominence: “a fellow of no mark nor likelihood” (Shakespeare). b. Notice; attention: a matter unworthy of mark. 10. A target: “A mounted officer would be a conspicuous mark” (Ambrose Bierce). 11. Something that one wishes to achieve; a goal. 12. An object or point that serves as a guide. 13. Slang A person who is the intended victim of a swindler; a dupe. 14a. Sports The place from which racers begin and sometimes end their contest. b. A point reached or gained: the halfway mark of the race. c. A record: set a new mark in the long jump. 15. Sports a. A strike or spare in bowling. b. A stationary ball in lawn bowling; a jack. 16. A boundary between countries. 17. A tract of land in medieval England and Germany held in common by a community. 18. Computer Science A character or feature in a file, record, or data stream used to locate a specific point or condition. | | VERB: | Inflected forms: marked, mark·ing, marks
| | TRANSITIVE VERB: | 1a. To make a visible trace or impression on, as with a spot, line, or dent. b. To form, make, or depict by making a mark: marked a square on the board. c. To supply with natural markings: gray fur that is marked with stripes. 2a. To single out or indicate by or as if by a mark: marked the spot where the treasure was buried; a career marked for glory. b. To distinguish or characterize: the exuberance that marks her writings; marked the occasion with celebrations. c. To make conspicuous: a concert marking the composer's 60th birthday. 3. To set off or separate by or as if by a line or boundary: marked off the limits of our property. 4. To attach or affix identification, such as a price tag or maker's label, to. 5. To evaluate (academic work) according to a scale of letters or numbers; grade. 6a. To give attention to; notice: Mark her expression of discontent. Mark my words: they are asking for trouble. b. To take note of in writing; write down: marked the appointment on my calendar. c. Sports & Games To record (the score) in various games. 7. Sports To guard (an opponent), as in soccer. | | INTRANSITIVE VERB: | 1. To make a visible impression: This pen will mark under water. 2. To receive a visible impression: The floor marks easily. 3. Sports & Games To keep score. 4. To determine academic grades: a teacher who marks strictly. 5. Archaic To pay attention; notice. | | PHRASAL VERBS: | mark down To mark for sale at a lower price. mark up 1. To deface by covering with marks. 2. To mark for sale at a higher price. | | IDIOMS: | beside the mark Beside the point; irrelevant. mark time 1. To move the feet alternately in the rhythm of a marching step without advancing. 2. To suspend progress for the time being; wait in readiness. 3. To function in an apathetic or ineffective manner. | | ETYMOLOGY: | Middle English, from Old English mearc. See merg- in Appendix I. | | SYNONYMS: | mark1, brand, label, tag1, ticket These verbs mean to place a mark of identification on: marked the items on the list with a check; brand cattle; labeled the boxes; tagged suitcases; ticketed the new merchandise. See also synonyms at sign.
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| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
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