mark¹ / märk/ • n. 1. a small area on a surface having a different color from its surroundings, typically one caused by accident or damage: the blow left a red mark down one side of her face. ∎  a spot, area, or feature on a person's or animal's body by which they may be identified or recognized: he was five feet nine, with no distinguishing marks. 2. a line, figure, or symbol made as an indication or record of something. ∎  a written symbol made on a document in place of a signature by someone who cannot write. ∎  a level or stage that is considered significant: unemployment had passed the two million mark. ∎  a sign or indication of a quality or feeling: the flag was at half-mast as a mark of respect. ∎  a characteristic property or feature: it is the mark of a civilized society to treat its elderly members well. ∎  a competitor's starting point in a race. ∎  Naut. 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. 3. a point awarded for a correct answer or for proficiency in an examination or competition: many candidates lose marks because they don't read the questions carefully | fig. full marks to them for highlighting the threat to the rain forest. ∎  a figure or letter representing the total of such points and signifying a person's score: the highest mark was 98 percent. ∎  (esp. in track and field) a time or distance achieved by a competitor, esp. one which represents a record or personal best. 4. (followed by a numeral) a particular model or type of a vehicle, machine, or device: a Mark 10 Jaguar. 5. a target: few bullets could have missed their mark. ∎ inf. a person who is easily deceived or taken advantage of: they figure I'm an easy mark.• v. [tr.] 1. make (a visible impression or stain) on: he fingered the photograph gently, careful not to mark it. ∎  [intr.] become stained: it is made from a sort of woven surface which doesn't mark or tear. 2. write a word or symbol on (an object), typically for identification: she marked all her possessions with her name | [tr.] an envelope marked “private and confidential.” ∎  write (a word or figure) on an object: she marked the date down on a card. ∎  (mark something off) put a line by or through something written or printed on paper to indicate that it has passed or been dealt with: he marked off their names in a ledger. 3. show the position of: the top of the pass marks the border between Alaska and the Yukon. ∎  separate or delineate (a particular section or area of something): you need to mark out the part of the garden where the sun lingers longest. ∎  (of a particular quality or feature) separate or distinguish (someone or something) from other people or things: his sword marked him out as an officer. ∎  (mark someone out for) select or destine someone for (a particular role or condition): the solicitor general marked him out for government office. ∎  (mark someone down as) judge someone to be (a particular type or class of person): she had marked him down as a liberal. ∎  acknowledge, honor, or celebrate (an important event or occasion) with a particular action: to mark its fiftieth anniversary, the group held a fashion show. ∎  be an indication of (a significant occasion, stage, or development): a series of incidents which marked a new phase in the terrorist campaign. ∎  (usu. be marked) characterize as having a particular quality or feature: the reaction to these developments has been marked by a note of hysteria. ∎ chiefly Brit. (of a clock or watch) show (a certain time): his watch marked five past eight. 4. (of a teacher or examiner) assess the standard of (a piece of written work) by assigning points for proficiency or correct answers: the teachers are given adequate time to mark term papers. ∎  (mark someone/something down) reduce the number of marks awarded to a student, candidate, or their work: I was marked down for having skipped the last essay question. 5. notice or pay careful attention to: he'll leave you, you mark my words! 6. (of a player in a team game) stay close to (a particular opponent) in order to prevent them getting or passing the ball.PHRASES: be quick (or slow) off the mark be fast (or slow) in responding to a situation or understanding something.get off the mark get started.leave (or make) its (or one's or a) mark have a lasting or significant effect: she left her mark on the world of foreign policy.make one's mark attain recognition or distinction.mark time (of troops) march on the spot without moving forward. ∎ fig. pass one's time in routine activities until a more favorable or interesting opportunity presents itself.near (or close) to the mark almost accurate: to say he was their legal adviser would be nearer the mark.off (or wide of) the mark incorrect or inaccurate: his solutions are completely off the mark.of mark dated having importance or distinction: he had been a man of mark.on the mark correct; accurate.on your marks used to instruct competitors in a race to prepare themselves in the correct starting position: on your marks, get set, go!up to the mark of the required standard. ∎  (of a person) as healthy or in as good spirits as usual: Johnny's not feeling up to the mark at the moment.PHRASAL VERBS: mark something down (of a retailer) reduce the indicated price of an item.mark something up1. (of a retailer) add a certain amount to the cost of goods to cover overhead and profit: they mark up the price of imported wines by 66 percent. 2. annotate or correct text for printing, keying, or typesetting.mark² • n. 1. the basic monetary unit of Germany (until the introduction of the euro), equal to 100 pfennigs; a Deutschmark or, formerly, an Ostmark. 2. 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).