mark out

Variant of mark

mark definition

mark (märk)

noun

  1. a visible trace or impression on a surface; specif.,
    1. a line, dot, or other distinctive feature produced by drawing, coloring, stamping, etc.
    2. a spot, stain, scratch, blemish, mar, bruise, dent, etc.
  2. a sign, symbol, or indication; specif.,
    1. a printed or written sign or stroke punctuation marks
    2. a brand, label, seal, tag, etc. put on an article to show the owner, maker, etc.
    3. a sign or indication of some quality, character, etc. politeness is a mark of good upbringing
    4. a letter or figure used in schools, etc. to show quality of work or behavior; grade; rating a mark of B in history
    5. a cross or other sign made on a document as a substitute for a signature by a person unable to write
  3. a standard of quality, proficiency, propriety, etc. failing to come up to the mark
  4. importance; distinction; eminence a man of mark
  5. impression; influence to leave one's mark in history
  6. a visible object of known position, serving as a guide or point of reference a tower as a mark for fliers
  7. a line, dot, notch, etc. used to indicate position, as on a graduated scale
    1. an object aimed at; target
    2. an object desired or worked for; end; aim; goal
    1. a person against whom an attack, criticism, ridicule, etc. is directed
    2. Slang an intended victim of a swindle
  8. a taking notice; heed
  9. Archaic
    1. a boundary, border, or borderland; march
    2. among Germanic peoples in earlier times, land held or worked in common by a community
  10. Naut. one of the knots or bits of leather or colored cloth placed at irregular intervals on a lead line to indicate depths in fathoms
  11. Sports
    1. the starting line of a race
    2. a spare or a strike in bowling

Etymology: ME < OE mearc, orig., boundary, hence boundary sign, hence sign, akin to Ger mark, boundary, boundary mark, marke, a token, mark < Gmc *marka < IE base *mereĝ-, edge, boundary > L margo, margin, OIr mruig, borderland

transitive verb

  1. to put or make a mark or marks on
  2. to identify or designate by or as by a mark or marks abilities that mark one for success
  3. to trace, make, or produce by or as by marks; draw, write, record, etc.
  4. to show or indicate by a mark or marks
  5. to show plainly; manifest; make clear or perceptible a smile marking happiness
  6. to set off as distinctive; distinguish; characterize scientific discoveries that marked the 19th century
  7. to observe; note; take notice of; heed mark my words
  8. to give a grade or grades to; rate to mark examination papers
  9. to put prices on (merchandise)
  10. to keep (score, etc.); record
  11. Soccer, Field Hockey, etc. to stay close to in order to impede the movement of (an opponent)

intransitive verb

  1. to make a mark or marks
  2. to observe; take note
  3. Games to keep score
mark Idioms

beside the mark

  1. not striking the point aimed at
  2. not to the point; irrelevant

hit the mark

  1. to achieve one's aim; be successful in one's attempt
  2. to be accurate; be right

make one's mark

to achieve success or fame

mark down

  1. to make a note of; write down; record
  2. ☆ to mark for sale at a reduced price

mark off

or mark out
to mark the limits of; demarcate

mark out for

to select for or note as selected for

mark time

  1. to keep time while at a halt by lifting the feet alternately as if marching
  2. to suspend progress for a time, as while awaiting developments

mark up

  1. to cover with marks
  2. ☆ to mark for sale at an increased price
  3. to add overhead and profit to the cost of in order to arrive at the selling price
  4. to put (a legislative bill) into final form

miss the mark

  1. to fail in achieving one's aim; be unsuccessful in one's attempt
  2. to be inaccurate

(God) save the mark!

an exclamation of humorous astonishment, irony, contempt, etc.

wide of the mark

  1. not striking the point aimed at
  2. not to the point; irrelevant

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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