noun
also de·mar·ka·tion ˌdē(ˌ)märˈkāshən, -mȧˈk-
( -s )
Etymology: Spanish demarcación & Portuguese demarcação, from demarcar to delimit (from de- — from Latin — + marcar to mark, from Italian marcare, of Germanic origin; akin to Gothic marka boundary) + Spanish -ción, Portuguese -ção -tion — more at mark
1. : the act or process of demarcating : the act of ascertaining and setting a boundary or limit : delimitation
a distinct demarcation between the clear and glacial waters
2. : separation , distinction — often used in the phrase line of demarcation
sharp lines of demarcation between successive rock strata