mark

mark¹

noun

1》 a small area on a surface having a different colour from its surroundings, typically one caused by damage or dirt.

2》 a line, figure, or symbol made as an indication or record of something.

    ↘a sign or indication of a quality or feeling: a mark of respect.

    ↘a written symbol made on a document in place of a signature by someone who cannot write.

3》 something that indicates position or acts as a pointer.

    ↘a competitor's starting point in a race.

    ↘Nautical a piece of material or a knot used to indicate a depth on a sounding line.

    ↘Telecommunications one of two possible states of a signal in certain systems. The opposite of space.

    ↘a level or stage: unemployment passed the two million mark.

4》 chiefly Brit. a point awarded for a correct answer or for proficiency in an examination.

    ↘a figure or letter representing the total of such points.

    ↘(also handicap mark) Horse Racing an official assessment of a horse's form, used as the basis for calculating the weight the horse has to carry in a race.

5》 (followed by a numeral) a particular model or type of a vehicle or machine: a Mark 10 Jaguar.

6》 a target.

    ↘informal, chiefly US a person who is easily deceived or taken advantage of: they figure I'm an easy mark.

7》 Rugby Union the act of cleanly catching the ball direct from a kick, knock-on, or forward throw by an opponent, on or behind one's own 22-metre line, and exclaiming ‘Mark’, after which a free kick can be taken by the catcher.

8》 Australian Rules an act of catching a ball direct from a kick of at least fifteen metres, or the spot from which the subsequent kick is taken.

verb

1》 make a mark on.

    ↘become stained.

2》 identify using a mark or by writing something down.

    ↘(mark something up) annotate or correct a text for printing, keying, or typesetting.

3》 indicate the position of.

    ↘separate or distinguish by means of a particular feature or characteristic.

    ↘(mark someone out for) select or destine someone for (a particular role).

    ↘(mark someone down as) judge someone to be.

4》 acknowledge or celebrate (an event) with a particular action.

    ↘be an indication of (a significant event or phase).

5》 (mark something up or down) (of a retailer) increase or reduce the indicated price of an item.

6》 assess and give a mark to (written work).

    ↘(mark someone/thing down) reduce the number of marks awarded to a candidate or their work.

7》 notice or pay careful attention to.

8》 Brit. (in team games) stay close to (an opponent) in order to prevent them getting or passing the ball.

    ↘Australian Rules catch (the ball) from a kick of at least ten metres.

Phrases

be quick (or slow) off the mark be fast (or slow) in responding.

get off the mark get started.

leave (or make) its (or one's or a) mark have a lasting or significant effect.

one's mark Brit. something which is particularly typical of or suitable for someone.

mark time

1》 (of troops) march on the spot without moving forward.

2》 pass one's time in routine activities until a more favourable opportunity presents itself.

mark you chiefly Brit. used to emphasize or draw attention.

near (or close) to the mark almost accurate.

off (or wide of) the mark incorrect or inaccurate.

of mark dated having importance or distinction.

on the mark correct; accurate.

on your marks used to instruct competitors in a race to prepare themselves in the correct starting position.

up to the mark up to the required standard or normal level.

Origin

OE mearc, gemerce (n.), mearcian (v.), of Gmc origin.

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mark²

noun

1》 (until the introduction of the euro in 2002) the basic monetary unit of Germany, equal to 100 pfennig.

2》 a former English and Scottish money of account, equal to thirteen shillings and four pence in the currency of the day.

3》 a denomination of weight for gold and silver, formerly used throughout western Europe and typically equal to 8 ounces (226.8 grams).

Origin

OE marc, from ON mỏrk; prob. related to mark¹.