|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
hallmark
hallmark mark impressed on silverwork or goldwork to signify official approval of the standard of purity of the metal, also called plate mark. The hallmark was introduced by statute in England in 1300 and enforced by the Goldsmiths' Hall, London. Similar marks, many of them unofficial, were used on the Continent and in America. Other marks used on plate include one for the place of assay; a date mark, usually a letter; the maker's touch, at first a symbol, later his initials or name; a duty mark, to signify payment of a tax; and the artisan's mark. Marks have also been used on plated ware, baser metals, and pottery. See china marks . |
|
|
Cite this article
"hallmark." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "hallmark." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-hallmark.html "hallmark." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-hallmark.html |
|
hallmark
hallmark a mark stamped on articles of gold, silver, or platinum by the British assay offices, certifying their standard of purity. Recorded from the early 18th century, the word refers to Goldsmiths' Hall in London, where articles were tested and stamped with such a mark.
don't halloo till you are out of the wood you should not exult until danger and difficulty are past (halloo means shout in order to attract attention). The saying is recorded from the late 18th century. |
|
|
Cite this article
ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "hallmark." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "hallmark." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-hallmark.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "hallmark." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-hallmark.html |
|
hallmark
hall·mark / ˈhôlˌmärk/ • n. a mark stamped on articles of gold, silver, or platinum in Britain, certifying their standard of purity. ∎ a distinctive feature, esp. one of excellence: the tiny bubbles are the hallmark of fine champagnes. • v. [tr.] stamp with a hallmark. ∎ designate as distinctive, esp. for excellence. |
|
|
Cite this article
"hallmark." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "hallmark." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-hallmark.html "hallmark." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-hallmark.html |
|
hallmark
hallmark Official stamp used by British government assay offices to mark the standard of gold and silver articles. The mark has four elements: the standard mark, showing the purity of the metal; the office mark, bearing the assay office's cipher; the date mark; and the maker's mark.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"hallmark." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "hallmark." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-hallmark.html "hallmark." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-hallmark.html |
|
hallmark
hallmark
•arc, ark, Bach, bark, barque, Braque, Clark, clerk, dark, embark, hark, impark, Iraq, Ladakh, Lamarck, lark, macaque, marc, mark, marque, narc, nark, Newark, park, quark, sark, shark, snark, spark, stark, Vlach
•matriarch, patriarch
•tanbark • ringbark • stringy-bark
•Offenbach • ironbark • oligarch
•salesclerk • titlark • skylark
•meadowlark • woodlark • mudlark
•landmark • checkmark • Denmark
•benchmark • waymark • trademark
•seamark • Bismarck • telemark
•tidemark • Kitemark • pockmark
•Ostmark • hallmark • Goldmark
•Deutschmark • bookmark • footmark
•earmark • watermark • birthmark
•anarch • car park • skatepark
•ballpark
•Petrarch, tetrarch
•hierarch, squirearch
•exarch • Pesach • loan shark
•Plutarch • aardvark
|
|
|
Cite this article
"hallmark." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "hallmark." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-hallmark.html "hallmark." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-hallmark.html |
|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries:
HighBeam™ Research, Inc. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
The Encyclopedia.com advertising network includes:
