Search results for 'mark':

mark¹ noun 1 a visible blemish, such as a scratch or stain. 2 a patch, stripe, spot, etc forming part of a larger pattern. 3 a a grade or score awarded according to the proficiency of a student or competitor, etc; b a letter, number, or percentage used to denote this • What mark did you get? Only C+. 4 a sign or symbol • a question mark. 5 an indication or representation • a mark of respect. 6 the position from which a competitor starts in a race. See also on your marks below. 7 an object or thing to be aimed at or striven for; a target or goal • It fell wide of the mark. 8 a required or normal standard • up to the mark. 9 an impression, distinguishing characteristic or influence • Your work bears his mark. 10 noteworthiness; distinction • someone of no mark. 11 a cross or other sign used instead of a signature • Make your mark below. 12 rugby a a mark made with the heel on the ground by a player on making a fair catch; b the act of making a fair catch within one's own 22-metre line and marking the spot where the catch was made, from where a free kick can be taken. 13 (often Mark) (abbreviation Mk) applied especially to vehicles: a type of design; a model or issue • driving a Jaguar Mark II. See also marque¹. 14 slang a suitable victim for trickery, theft, etc • a soft mark. verb (marked, marking) 1 tr & intr to spoil something with, or become spoiled by, a mark¹ (noun 1). 2 a) to read, correct and award (a grade) to a piece of written work, etc; b) to allot a score to someone or something. 3 to show; to be a sign of something • events marking a new era • X marks the spot. 4 (often mark something down) to make a note of something; to record it. 5 to pay close attention to something • mark my words. 6 sport to stay close to (an opposing player) in order to try and prevent them from getting or passing the ball. 7 to characterize or label someone or something • This incident marks him as a criminal. make or leave one's mark to make a strong or permanent impression. mark someone's card to correct them, especially quickly and forcefully, when they are under a false impression; to put them right. mark time 1 to move the feet up and down as if marching, but without going forward. 2 merely to keep things going, without making progress or speeding up. off the mark 1 not on target; off the subject or target. 2 said of an athlete, etc: getting away from the mark (noun 6) in a race, etc • slow off the mark. See also quick off the mark at quick. on your marks or mark athletics said to the runners before a race begins: get into your position, ready for the starting command or signal. up to the mark 1 said of work, etc: satisfactory; of a good standard. 2 said of a person: fit and well.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon merc boundary or limit.

mark² noun 1 (abbreviation M and DM) the standard currency unit in Germany. See also Deutschmark. 2 formerly a unit of weight for gold and silver.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon marc.