I. ˈmärk 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 mark s 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 mark s 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 mark ed 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
mark ing 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 mark s her style
(2) : signalize
this year mark s 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
•
- mark time
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 13 s 4 d
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