mark1
n.
- a small area on a surface having a different colour from its surroundings, typically one caused by damage or dirt.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- (followed by a numeral) a particular model or type of a vehicle or machine:
a Mark 10 Jaguar.
- a target.
▸
informal, chiefly US a person who is easily deceived or taken advantage of:
they figure I'm an easy mark.
- 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.
- 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.
v.
- make a mark on.
▸become stained.
- identify using a mark or by writing something down.
▸
(mark something up)
annotate or correct a text for printing, keying, or typesetting.
- 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.
- acknowledge or celebrate (an event) with a particular action.
▸be an indication of (a significant event or phase).
-
(mark something up or down)
(of a retailer) increase or reduce the indicated price of an item.
- assess and give a mark to (written work).
▸
(mark someone/thing down)
reduce the number of marks awarded to a candidate or their work.
- notice or pay careful attention to.
- 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.
Phrase
- 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
- (of troops) march on the spot without moving forward.
- 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.
Etymology
OE mearc, gemerce (n.), mearcian (v.), of Gmc origin.
mark2
n.
- (until the introduction of the euro in 2002) the basic monetary unit of Germany, equal to 100 pfennig.
- a former English and Scottish money of account, equal to thirteen shillings and four pence in the currency of the day.
- a denomination of weight for gold and silver, formerly used throughout western Europe and typically equal to 8 ounces (226.8 grams).
Etymology
OE marc, from ON mǫrk; prob. rel. to mark1.