MARK

n. & v. --n. 1 a trace, sign, stain, scar, etc., on a surface, face, page, etc. 2 (esp. in comb.) a a written or printed symbol (exclamation mark; question mark). b a numerical or alphabetical award denoting excellence, conduct, proficiency, etc. (got a good mark for effort; gave him a black mark; gained 46 marks out of 50). 3 (usu. foll. by of) a sign or indication of quality, character, feeling, etc. (took off his hat as a mark of respect). 4 a a sign, seal, etc., used for distinction or identification. b a cross etc. made in place of a signature by an illiterate person. 5 a a target, object, goal, etc. (missed the mark with his first play). b a standard for attainment (his work falls below the mark). 6 a line etc. indicating a position; a marker. 7 (usu. Mark) (followed by a numeral) a particular design, model, etc., of a car, aircraft, etc. (this is the Mark 2 model). 8 a runner's starting-point in a race. 9 Naut. a piece of material etc. used to indicate a position on a sounding-line. 10 a Rugby Football a heel-mark on the ground made by a player who has caught the ball direct from a kick, knock-on, or throw-forward by an opponent. b Austral. Rules the catching before it reaches the ground of a ball kicked at least ten metres; the spot from which the subsequent kick is taken. 11 sl. the intended victim of a swindler etc. 12 Boxing the pit of the stomach. 13 hist. a tract of land held in common by a Teutonic or medieval German village community. --v.tr. 1 a make a mark on (a thing or person), esp. by writing, cutting, scraping, etc. b put a distinguishing or identifying mark, initials, name, etc., on (clothes etc.) (marked the tree with their initials). 2 a allot marks to; correct (a student's work etc.). b record (the points gained in games etc.). 3 attach a price to (goods etc.) (marked the doll at 50p). 4 (often foll. by by) show or manifest (displeasure etc.) (marked his anger by leaving early). 5 notice or observe (she marked his agitation). 6 a characterize or be a feature of (the day was marked by storms). b acknowledge, recognize, celebrate (marked the occasion with a toast). 7 name or indicate (a place on a map, the length of a syllable, etc.) by a sign or mark. 8 characterize (a person or a thing) as (marked them as weak). 9 a Brit. keep close to so as to prevent the free movement of (an opponent in sport). b Austral. Rules catch (the ball). 10 (as marked adj.) having natural marks (is marked with silver spots). 11 (of a graduated instrument) show, register (so many degrees etc.). 12 US & Austral. castrate (a lamb). øone's mark colloq. 1 what one prefers. 2 an opponent, object, etc., of one's own size, calibre, etc. (the little one's more my mark). beside (or off or wide of) the mark 1 not to the point; irrelevant. 2 not accurate. make one's mark attain distinction. mark down 1 mark (goods etc.) at a lower price. 2 make a written note of. 3 choose (a person) as one's victim. mark-down n. a reduction in price. mark off (often foll. by from) separate (one thing from another) by a boundary etc. (marked off the subjects for discussion). mark of mouth a depression in a horse's incisor indicating age. mark out 1 plan (a course of action etc.). 2 destine (marked out for success). 3 trace out boundaries, a course, etc. mark time 1 Mil. march on the spot, without moving forward. 2 act routinely; go through the motions. 3 await an opportunity to advance. mark up 1 mark (goods etc.) at a higher price. 2 mark or correct (text etc.) for typesetting or alteration. mark-up n. 1 the amount added to the cost price of goods to cover overhead charges, profit, etc. 2 the corrections made in marking up text. mark you please note (without obligation, mark you). off the mark 1 having made a start. 2 = beside the mark. of mark noteworthy. on the mark ready to start. on your mark (or marks) (as an instruction) get ready to start (esp. a race). up to the mark reaching the usual or normal standard, esp. of health. [OE me(a)rc (n.), mearcian (v.), f. Gmc]