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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

M`ARK, n. [L. mercor, the primary sense of which is to go, to pass; Gr. to pass; Eng. fair, and fare.]
1. A visible line made by drawing one substance on another; as a mark made by chalk or charcoal, or a pen.
2. A line, groove or depression made by stamping or cutting; an incision; a channel or impression; as the mark of a chisel, of a stamp, of a rod or whip; the mark of the finger or foot.
3. Any note or sign of distinction.
The Lord set a mark upon Cain. Genesis 4.
4. Any visible effect of force or agency.
There are scarce any marks left of a subterraneous fire.
5. Any apparent or intelligible effect; proof, evidence.
The confusion of tongues was a mark of separation.
6. Notice taken.
The laws
Stand like the forfeits in a barber's shop,
As much for mock as mark.

7. Any thing to which a missile weapon may be directed.
France was a fairer mark to shoot at than Ireland.
8. Any object used as a guide, or to which the mind may be directed. The dome of the State house in Boston is a good mark for seamen.
9. Any thing visible by which knowledge of something may be obtained; indication; as the marks of age in a horse. Civility is a mark of politeness or respect. Levity is a mark of weakness.
10. A character made by a person who cannot write his name, and intended as a substitute for it.
11. A weight of certain commodities, but particularly of gold and silver, used in several states of Europe; in Great Britain, a money of account, equal to thirteen shillings and four pence. In some countries, it is a coin.
12. A license of reprisals. [See Marque.]
M`ARK, v.t.
1. To draw or make a visible line or character with any substance; as, to mark with chalk or with compasses.
2. To stamp; to impress; to make a visible impression, figure or indenture; as, to mark a sheep with a brand.
3. To make an incision; to lop off a part; to make any sign of distinction; as, to mark sheep or cattle by cuts in their ears.
4. To form a name or the initials of a name for distinction; as, to mark cloth; to mark a handkerchief.
5. To notice; to take particular observation of.
Mark them who cause divisions and offenses. Romans 16.
Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace. Psalms 37.
6. To heed; to regard.
To mark out, to notify, as by a mark; to point out; to designate. The ringleaders were marked out for seizure and punishment.
M`ARK, v.i. To note; to observe critically; to take particular notice; to remark.
Mark, I pray you,and see how this man seeketh mischief. l Kings 20.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance); "she made good marks in algebra"; "grade A milk"; "what was your score on your homework?" [syn: mark, grade, score]
2: a distinguishing symbol; "the owner's mark was on all the sheep" [syn: marker, marking, mark]
3: a reference point to shoot at; "his arrow hit the mark" [syn: target, mark]
4: a visible indication made on a surface; "some previous reader had covered the pages with dozens of marks"; "paw prints were everywhere" [syn: mark, print]
5: the impression created by doing something unusual or extraordinary that people notice and remember; "it was in London that he made his mark"; "he left an indelible mark on the American theater"
6: a symbol of disgrace or infamy; "And the Lord set a mark upon Cain"--Genesis [syn: mark, stigma, brand, stain]
7: formerly the basic unit of money in Germany [syn: mark, German mark, Deutsche Mark, Deutschmark]
8: Apostle and companion of Saint Peter; assumed to be the author of the second Gospel [syn: Mark, Saint Mark, St. Mark]
9: a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of [syn: chump, fool, gull, mark, patsy, fall guy, sucker, soft touch, mug]
10: a written or printed symbol (as for punctuation); "his answer was just a punctuation mark"
11: a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened); "he showed signs of strain"; "they welcomed the signs of spring" [syn: sign, mark]
12: the shortest of the four Gospels in the New Testament [syn: Mark, Gospel According to Mark]
13: an indication of damage [syn: scratch, scrape, scar, mark]
14: a marking that consists of lines that cross each other [syn: crisscross, cross, mark]
15: something that exactly succeeds in achieving its goal; "the new advertising campaign was a bell ringer"; "scored a bull's eye"; "hit the mark"; "the president's speech was a home run" [syn: bell ringer, bull's eye, mark, home run] v
1: attach a tag or label to; "label these bottles" [syn: tag, label, mark]
2: designate as if by a mark; "This sign marks the border"
3: be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a very positive sense; "His modesty distinguishes him from his peers" [syn: distinguish, mark, differentiate]
4: mark by some ceremony or observation; "The citizens mark the anniversary of the revolution with a march and a parade" [syn: commemorate, mark]
5: make or leave a mark on; "the scouts marked the trail"; "ash marked the believers' foreheads"
6: to accuse or condemn or openly or formally or brand as disgraceful; "He denounced the government action"; "She was stigmatized by society because she had a child out of wedlock" [syn: stigmatize, stigmatise, brand, denounce, mark]
7: notice or perceive; "She noted that someone was following her"; "mark my words" [syn: notice, mark, note] [ant: ignore]
8: mark with a scar; "The skin disease scarred his face permanently" [syn: scar, mark, pock, pit]
9: make small marks into the surface of; "score the clay before firing it" [syn: score, nock, mark]
10: establish as the highest level or best performance; "set a record" [syn: set, mark]
11: make underscoring marks [syn: score, mark]
12: remove from a list; "Cross the name of the dead person off the list" [syn: cross off, cross out, strike out, strike off, mark]
13: put a check mark on or near or next to; "Please check each name on the list"; "tick off the items"; "mark off the units" [syn: check, check off, mark, mark off, tick off, tick]
14: assign a grade or rank to, according to one's evaluation; "grade tests"; "score the SAT essays"; "mark homework" [syn: grade, score, mark]
15: insert punctuation marks into [syn: punctuate, mark]

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: Latin Marcus Date: 13th century 1. a. an early Jewish Christian traditionally identified as the writer of the Gospel of Mark — called also John Mark b. the second Gospel in the New Testament — see bible table 2. a king of Cornwall, uncle of Tristram, and husband of Isolde

Merriam Webster's

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English mearc boundary, march, sign; akin to Old High German marha boundary, Latin margo Date: before 12th century 1. a boundary land 2. a. (1) a conspicuous object serving as a guide for travelers (2) something (as a line, notch, or fixed object) designed to record position b. one of the bits of leather or colored bunting placed on a sounding line at intervals c. target d. the starting line or position in a track event e. (1) goal, object (2) an object of attack, ridicule, or abuse; specifically a victim or prospective victim of a swindle (3) the point under discussion (4) condition of being correct or accurate <her observations are on the mark> f. a standard of performance, quality, or condition ; norm <not feeling up to the mark lately> 3. a. (1) sign, indication <gave her the necklace as a mark of his esteem> (2) an impression (as a scratch, scar, or stain) made on something (3) a distinguishing trait or quality ; characteristic <the marks of an educated person> b. a symbol used for identification or indication of ownership c. a cross made in place of a signature d. (1) trademark (2) capitalized — used with a numeral to designate a particular model of a weapon or machine <Mark II> e. a written or printed symbol (as a comma or colon) f. postmark g. a symbol used to represent a teacher's estimate of a student's work or conduct; especially grade h. a figure registering a point or level reached or achieved <the halfway mark in the first period of play>; especially record 4. a. attention, notice <nothing worthy of mark> b. importance, distinction <stands out as a person of mark> c. a lasting or strong impression d. an assessment of merits ; rating <got high marks for honesty> Synonyms: see sign II. verb Etymology: Middle English, from Old English mearcian; akin to Old High German marc?n to mark, determine the boundaries of, Old English mearc boundary Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. a. (1) to fix or trace out the bounds or limits of (2) to plot the course of ; chart b. to set apart by or as if by a line or boundary — usually used with off 2. a. (1) to designate as if by a mark (2) to make or leave a mark on (3) to furnish with natural marks <wings marked with white> (4) to label so as to indicate price or quality (5) to make notations in or on b. (1) to make note of in writing ; jot <marking the date in his journal> (2) to indicate by a mark or symbol <mark an accent> (3) register, record (4) to determine the value of by means of marks or symbols ; grade <mark term papers> c. (1) characterize, distinguish <the flamboyance that marks her style> (2) signalize <this year marks our 50th anniversary> 3. to take notice of ; observe <mark my words> 4. to pick up (one's golf ball) from a putting green and substitute a marker intransitive verb to take careful notice III. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English marc, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse m?rk mark; akin to Old English mearc sign Date: before 12th century 1. any of various old European units of weight used especially for gold and silver; especially a unit equal to about eight ounces (248 grams) 2. a unit of value: a. an old English unit equal to 13s 4d b. any one of various old Scandinavian or German units of value; specifically a unit and corresponding silver coin of the 16th century worth 1/2 taler c. (1) deutsche mark (2) the basic monetary unit of East Germany replaced in 1990 by the West German deutsche mark d. markka

Oxford Reference Dictionary

1. n. & v. --n. 1 a trace, sign, stain, scar, etc., on a surface, face, page, etc. 2 (esp. in comb.) a a written or printed symbol (exclamation mark; question mark). b a numerical or alphabetical award denoting excellence, conduct, proficiency, etc. (got a good mark for effort; gave him a black mark; gained 46 marks out of 50). 3 (usu. foll. by of) a sign or indication of quality, character, feeling, etc. (took off his hat as a mark of respect). 4 a a sign, seal, etc., used for distinction or identification. b a cross etc. made in place of a signature by an illiterate person. 5 a a target, object, goal, etc. (missed the mark with his first play). b a standard for attainment (his work falls below the mark). 6 a line etc. indicating a position; a marker. 7 (usu. Mark) (followed by a numeral) a particular design, model, etc., of a car, aircraft, etc. (this is the Mark 2 model). 8 a runner's starting-point in a race. 9 Naut. a piece of material etc. used to indicate a position on a sounding-line. 10 a Rugby Football a heel-mark on the ground made by a player who has caught the ball direct from a kick, knock-on, or throw-forward by an opponent. b Austral. Rules the catching before it reaches the ground of a ball kicked at least ten metres; the spot from which the subsequent kick is taken. 11 sl. the intended victim of a swindler etc. 12 Boxing the pit of the stomach. 13 hist. a tract of land held in common by a Teutonic or medieval German village community. --v.tr. 1 a make a mark on (a thing or person), esp. by writing, cutting, scraping, etc. b put a distinguishing or identifying mark, initials, name, etc., on (clothes etc.) (marked the tree with their initials). 2 a allot marks to; correct (a student's work etc.). b record (the points gained in games etc.). 3 attach a price to (goods etc.) (marked the doll at 50p). 4 (often foll. by by) show or manifest (displeasure etc.) (marked his anger by leaving early). 5 notice or observe (she marked his agitation). 6 a characterize or be a feature of (the day was marked by storms). b acknowledge, recognize, celebrate (marked the occasion with a toast). 7 name or indicate (a place on a map, the length of a syllable, etc.) by a sign or mark. 8 characterize (a person or a thing) as (marked them as weak). 9 a Brit. keep close to so as to prevent the free movement of (an opponent in sport). b Austral. Rules catch (the ball). 10 (as marked adj.) having natural marks (is marked with silver spots). 11 (of a graduated instrument) show, register (so many degrees etc.). 12 US & Austral. castrate (a lamb). Phrases and idioms: one's mark colloq. 1 what one prefers. 2 an opponent, object, etc., of one's own size, calibre, etc. (the little one's more my mark). beside (or off or wide of) the mark 1 not to the point; irrelevant. 2 not accurate. make one's mark attain distinction. mark down 1 mark (goods etc.) at a lower price. 2 make a written note of. 3 choose (a person) as one's victim. mark-down n. a reduction in price. mark off (often foll. by from) separate (one thing from another) by a boundary etc. (marked off the subjects for discussion). mark of mouth a depression in a horse's incisor indicating age. mark out 1 plan (a course of action etc.). 2 destine (marked out for success). 3 trace out boundaries, a course, etc. mark time 1 Mil. march on the spot, without moving forward. 2 act routinely; go through the motions. 3 await an opportunity to advance. mark up 1 mark (goods etc.) at a higher price. 2 mark or correct (text etc.) for typesetting or alteration. mark-up n. 1 the amount added to the cost price of goods to cover overhead charges, profit, etc. 2 the corrections made in marking up text. mark you please note (without obligation, mark you). off the mark 1 having made a start. 2 = beside the mark. of mark noteworthy. on the mark ready to start. on your mark (or marks) (as an instruction) get ready to start (esp. a race). up to the mark reaching the usual or normal standard, esp. of health. Etymology: OE me(a)rc (n.), mearcian (v.), f. Gmc 2. n. 1 a = DEUTSCHE MARK. b = OSTMARK. 2 hist. a a denomination of weight for gold and silver. b English money of account. Etymology: OE marc, prob. rel. to med.L marca, marcus

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Lubber Lub"ber, n. [Cf. dial. Sw. lubber. See Looby, Lob.] A heavy, clumsy, or awkward fellow; a sturdy drone; a clown. Lingering lubbers lose many a penny. --Tusser. Land lubber, a name given in contempt by sailors to a person who lives on land. Lubber grasshopper (Zo["o]l.), a large, stout, clumsy grasshopper; esp., Brachystola magna, from the Rocky Mountain plains, and Romalea microptera, which is injurious to orange trees in Florida. Lubber's hole (Naut.), a hole in the floor of the ``top,'' next the mast, through which sailors may go aloft without going over the rim by the futtock shrouds. It is considered by seamen as only fit to be used by lubbers. --Totten. Lubber's line, point, or mark, a line or point in the compass case indicating the head of the ship, and consequently the course which the ship is steering.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Marc Marc, n. [AS. marc; akin to G. mark, Icel. m["o]rk, perh. akin to E. mark a sign. [root]106, 273.] [Written also mark.] 1. A weight of various commodities, esp. of gold and silver, used in different European countries. In France and Holland it was equal to eight ounces. 2. A coin formerly current in England and Scotland, equal to thirteen shillings and four pence. 3. A German coin and money of account. See Mark.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Mark Mark, n. A license of reprisals. See Marque.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Mark Mark, n. [See 2d Marc.] 1. An old weight and coin. See Marc. ``Lend me a mark.'' --Chaucer. 2. The unit of monetary account of the German Empire, equal to 23.8 cents of United States money; the equivalent of one hundred pfennigs. Also, a silver coin of this value.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Mark Mark, n. [OE. marke, merke, AS. mearc; akin to D. merk, MHG. marc, G. marke, Icel. mark, Dan. m[ae]rke; cf. Lith. margas party-colored. [root]106, 273. Cf. Remark.] 1. A visible sign or impression made or left upon anything; esp., a line, point, stamp, figure, or the like, drawn or impressed, so as to attract the attention and convey some information or intimation; a token; a trace. The Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. --Gen. iv. 15.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Mark Mark, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Marked; p. pr. & vb. n. Marking.] [OE. marken, merken, AS. mearcian, from mearc. See Mark the sign.] 1. To put a mark upon; to affix a significant mark to; to make recognizable by a mark; as, to mark a box or bale of merchandise; to mark clothing. 2. To be a mark upon; to designate; to indicate; -- used literally and figuratively; as, this monument marks the spot where Wolfe died; his courage and energy marked him for a leader. 3. To leave a trace, scratch, scar, or other mark, upon, or any evidence of action; as, a pencil marks paper; his hobnails marked the floor. 4. To keep account of; to enumerate and register; as, to mark the points in a game of billiards or cards. 5. To notice or observe; to give attention to; to take note of; to remark; to heed; to regard. ``Mark the perfect man.'' --Ps. xxxvii. 37. To mark out. (a) To designate, as by a mark; to select; as, the ringleaders were marked out for punishment. (b) To obliterate or cancel with a mark; as, to mark out an item in an account. To mark time (Mil.), to keep the time of a marching step by moving the legs alternately without advancing. Syn: To note; remark; notice; observe; regard; heed; show; evince; indicate; point out; betoken; denote; characterize; stamp; imprint; impress; brand.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Mark Mark, v. i. To take particular notice; to observe critically; to note; to remark. Mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeketh maschief. --1 Kings xx. 7.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(marks, marking, marked) Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English. 1. A mark is a small area of something such as dirt that has accidentally got onto a surface or piece of clothing. The dogs are always rubbing against the wall and making dirty marks... A properly fitting bra should never leave red marks. N-COUNT 2. If something marks a surface, or if the surface marks, the surface is damaged by marks or a mark. Leather overshoes were put on the horses' hooves to stop them marking the turf... I have to be more careful with the work tops, as wood marks easily. VERB: V n, V 3. A mark is a written or printed symbol, for example a letter of the alphabet. He made marks with a pencil. N-COUNT 4. If you mark something with a particular word or symbol, you write that word or symbol on it. The bank marks the check 'certified'... Mark the frame with your postcode... For more details about these products, send a postcard marked HB/FF. VERB: V n quote, V n with n, V-ed 5. A mark is a point that is given for a correct answer or for doing something well in an exam or competition. A mark can also be a written symbol such as a letter that indicates how good a student's or competitor's work or performance is. ...a simple scoring device of marks out of 10, where '1' equates to 'Very poor performance'... He did well to get such a good mark. N-COUNT: oft supp N 6. If someone gets good or high marks for doing something, they have done it well. If they get poor or low marks, they have done it badly. You have to give her top marks for moral guts... His administration has earned low marks for its economic policies. N-PLURAL: supp N 7. When a teacher marks a student's work, the teacher decides how good it is and writes a number or letter on it to indicate this opinion. He was marking essays in his small study. VERB: V nmarking For the rest of the lunchbreak I do my marking. 8. A particular mark is a particular number, point, or stage which has been reached or might be reached, especially a significant one. Unemployment is rapidly approaching the one million mark. N-COUNT: usu the supp N 9. The mark of something is the characteristic feature that enables you to recognize it. The mark of a civilized society is that it looks after its weakest members. = sign N-COUNT: N of n/-ing 10. If you say that a type of behaviour or an event is a mark of a particular quality, feeling, or situation, you mean it shows that that quality, feeling, or situation exists. It was a mark of his unfamiliarity with Hollywood that he didn't understand that an agent was paid out of his client's share... = indication, sign N-SING: a N of n 11. If something marks a place or position, it shows where something else is or where it used to be. A huge crater marks the spot where the explosion happened. VERB: V n 12. An event that marks a particular stage or point is a sign that something different is about to happen. The announcement marks the end of an extraordinary period in European history... VERB: V n 13. If you do something to mark an event or occasion, you do it to show that you are aware of the importance of the event or occasion. Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets to mark the occasion. VERB: V n 14. Something that marks someone as a particular type of person indicates that they are that type of person. Her opposition to abortion and feminism mark her as a convinced traditionalist. VERB: V n as n 15. In a team game, when a defender is marking an attacker, they are trying to stay close to the attacker and prevent them from getting the ball. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use guard, cover) ...Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who so effectively marked Michael Owen. VERB: V nmarking They had stopped Ecuador from building up attacks with good marking. N-UNCOUNT 16. The mark was the unit of money that was used in Germany. In 2002 it was replaced by the euro. The government gave 30 million marks for new school books. N-COUNT: usu num NThe mark was also used to refer to the German currency system. The mark appreciated 12 per cent against the dollar. N-SING: the N 17. Mark is used before a number to indicate a particular temperature level in a gas oven. (BRIT) Set the oven at gas mark 4. N-UNCOUNT: N num 18. Mark is used before a number to indicate a particular version or model of a vehicle, machine, or device. ...his Mark II Ford Cortina. N-UNCOUNT: N num 19. see also marked, marking, black mark, check mark, exclamation mark, full marks, high-water mark, punctuation mark, question mark, scuff mark, stretch marks 20. If someone or something leaves their mark or leaves a mark, they have a lasting effect on another person or thing. Years of conditioning had left their mark on her, and she never felt inclined to talk to strange men. PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR on n 21. If you make your mark or make a mark, you become noticed or famous by doing something impressive or unusual. She made her mark in the film industry in the 1960s. PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR on/in n 22. If you are quick off the mark, you are quick to understand or respond to something. If you are slow off the mark, you are slow to understand or respond to something. PHRASE: usu v-link PHR 23. On your marks in British English, or on your mark in American English, is a command given to runners at the beginning of a race in order to get them into the correct position to start. On your marks–get set–go! CONVENTION 24. If something is off the mark, it is inaccurate or incorrect. If it is on the mark, it is accurate or correct. Robinson didn't think the story was so far off the mark... PHRASE: usu v-link PHR 25. If something such as a claim or estimate is wide of the mark, it is incorrect or inaccurate. That comparison isn't as wide of the mark as it seems. PHRASE: usu v-link PHR 26. to overstep the mark: see overstep

Hitchcock Bible Dictionary

same as Marcus

Easton's Bible Dictionary

the evangelist; "John whose surname was Mark" (Acts 12:12, 25). Mark (Marcus, Col. 4:10, etc.) was his Roman name, which gradually came to supersede his Jewish name John. He is called John in Acts 13:5, 13, and Mark in 15:39, 2 Tim. 4:11, etc.

He was the son of Mary, a woman apparently of some means and influence, and was probably born in Jerusalem, where his mother resided (Acts 12:12). Of his father we know nothing. He was cousin of Barnabas (Col. 4:10). It was in his mother's house that Peter found "many gathered together praying" when he was released from prison; and it is probable that it was here that he was converted by Peter, who calls him his "son" (1 Pet. 5:13). It is probable that the "young man" spoken of in Mark 14:51, 52 was Mark himself. He is first mentioned in Acts 12:25. He went with Paul and Barnabas on their first journey (about A.D. 47) as their "minister," but from some cause turned back when they reached Perga in Pamphylia (Acts 12:25; 13:13). Three years afterwards a "sharp contention" arose between Paul and Barnabas (15:36-40), because Paul would not take Mark with him. He, however, was evidently at length reconciled to the apostle, for he was with him in his first imprisonment at Rome (Col. 4:10; Philemon 1:24). At a later period he was with Peter in Babylon (1 Pet. 5:13), then, and for some centuries afterwards, one of the chief seats of Jewish learning; and he was with Timothy in Ephesus when Paul wrote him during his second imprisonment (2 Tim. 4:11). He then disappears from view.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

mark: In the King James Version this word is used 22 times as a noun and 26 times as a predicate. In the former case it is represented by 5 Hebrew and 3 Greek words; in the latter by 11 Hebrew and 2 Greek words. As a noun it is purely a physical term, gaining almost a technical significance from the "mark" put upon Cain (Ge 4:15 the King James Version); the stigmata of Christ in Paul's body (Ga 6:17); the "mark of the beast" (Re 16:2).

As a verb it is almost exclusively a mental process: e.g. "to be attentive," "understand ": bin (Job 18:2 the King James Version), rightly rendered in the Revised Version (British and American) "consider"; shith, "Mark ye well her bulwarks" (Ps 48:13), i.e. turn the mind to, notice, regard; shamar, i.e. observe, keep in view; so Ps 37:37, "Mark the perfect man"; compare Job 22:15 the King James Version. This becomes a unique expression in 1Sa 1:12, where Eli, noticing the movement of Hannah's lips in prayer, is said to have "marked her mouth." Jesus "marked" how invited guests chose out (epecho, i.e. "observed") the chief seats (Lu 14:7); so skopeo (Ro 16:17; Php 3:17), "Mark them," i.e. look at, signifying keen mental attention, i.e. scrutinize, observe carefully. The only exceptions to this mental signification of the verb are two verses in the Old Testament: Isa 44:13, "He marketh it out with a pencil" ("red ochre," the King James Version "line"), and "with the compasses," where the verb is ta'ar, "to delineate," "mark out"; Jer 2:22, "Thine iniquity is marked (katham, "cut (i.e. engraved)) before me," signifying the deep and ineradicable nature of sin. It may also be rendered "written," as in indelible hieroglyphics.

As a noun the term "mark" may signify, according to its various Hebrew and Greek originals, a sign, "a target" an object of assault, a brand or stigma cut or burnt in the flesh, a goal or end in view, a stamp or imprinted or engraved sign.

(1) 'oth, "a sign": Ge 4:15 the King James Version, "The Lord set a mark upon Cain" (the American Standard Revised Version "appointed a sign"). It is impossible to tell the nature of this sign. Delitzsch thinks that the rabbins were mistaken in regarding it as a mark upon Cain's body. He considers it rather "a certain sign which protected him from vengeance," the continuance of his life being necessary for the preservation of the race. It was thus, as the Hebrew indicates, the token of a covenant which God made with Cain that his life would be spared.

(2) mattara', "an aim," hence, a mark to shoot at. Jonathan arranged to shoot arrows as at a mark, for a sign to David (1Sa 20:20); Job felt himself to be a target for the Divine arrows, i.e. for the Divinely decreed sufferings which wounded him and which he was called to endure (Job 16:12); so Jeremiah, "He hath set me as a mark for the arrow" (La 3:12); closely akin to this is miphga`, an object of attack (Job 7:20), where Job in bitterness of soul feels that God has become his enemy, and says, `Why hast thou made me the mark of hostile attack?'; "set me as a mark for thee."

See TARGET.

(3) taw, "mark" (Eze 9:4,6). In Ezekiel's vision of the destruction of the wicked, the mark to be set upon the forehead of the righteous, at Yahweh's command, was, as in the case of the blood sprinkled on the door-posts of the Israelites (Ex 12:22,23), for their protection. As the servants of God (Re 7:2,3)--the elect--were kept from harm by being sealed with the seal of the living God in their foreheads, so the man clothed in linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side, was told to mark upon their foreheads those whom God would save from judgment by His sheltering grace. Taw also appears (Job 31:35) for the attesting mark made to a document (the Revised Version (British and American) "signature," margin "mark").

The equivalent Hebrew letter taw ("t") in the Phoenician alphabet and on the coins of the Maccabees had the form of a cross (T). In oriental synods it was used as a signature by bishops who could not write. The cross, as a sign of ownership, was burnt upon the necks or thighs of horses and camels. It may have been the "mark" set upon the forehead of the righteous in Ezekiel's vision.

(4) qa`aqa`, "a stigma" cut or burnt. The Israelites were forbidden (Le 19:28) to follow the custom of other oriental and heathen nations in cutting, disfiguring or branding their bodies.

The specific prohibition "not to print any marks upon" themselves evidently has reference to the custom of tattooing common among savage tribes, and in vogue among both men and women of the lower orders in Arabia, Egypt, and many other lands. It was intended to cultivate reverence for and a sense of the sacredness of the human body, as God's creation, known in the Christian era as the temple of the Holy Spirit.

See also CUTTINGS IN THE FLESH.

(5) skopos, something seen or observed in the distance, hence, a "goal." The Christian life seemed to Paul, in the intensity of his spiritual ardor, like the stadium or race-course of the Greeks, with runners stretching every nerve to reach the goal and win the prize. "I press on toward the goal (the King James Version "mark") unto the prize" (Php 3:14). The mark or goal is the ideal of life revealed in Christ, the prize, the attainment and possession of that life.

In The Wisdom of Solomon 5:21 "they fly to the mark" is from eustochoi, "with true aim" (so the Revised Version (British and American)).

(6) stigma, "a mark pricked or branded upon the body." Slaves and soldiers, in ancient times, were stamped or branded with the name of their master. Paul considered and called himself the bondslave of Jesus Christ. The traces of his sufferings, scourging, stonings, persecution, wounds, were visible in permanent scars on his body (compare 2Co 11:23-27). These he termed the stigmata of Jesus, marks branded in his very flesh as proofs of his devotion to his Master (Ga 6:17).

This passage gives no ground for the Romanist superstition that the very scars of Christ's crucifixion were reproduced in Paul's hands and feet and side. It is also "alien to the lofty self-consciousness" of these words to find in them, as some expositors do, a contrast in Paul's thought to the scar of circumcision.

(7) charagma, "a stamp" or "imprinted mark." "The mark of the beast" (peculiar to Revelation) was the badge of the followers of Antichrist, stamped on the forehead or right hand (Re 13:16; compare Eze 9:4,6). It was symbolic of character and was thus not a literal or physical mark, but the impress of paganism on the moral and spiritual life. It was the sign or token of apostasy. As a spiritual state or condition it subjected men to the wrath of God and to eternal torment (Re 14:9-11); to noisome disease (Re 16:2); to the lake of fire (Re 19:20). Those who received not the mark, having faithfully endured persecution and martyrdom, were given part in the first resurrection and lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years (Re 20:4). The "beast" symbolizes the anti-Christian empires, particularly Rome under Nero, who sought to devour and destroy the early Christians.

(8) molops, "bruise," Sirach 23:10 (the Revised Version (British and American) "bruise"); 28:17.

Dwight M. Pratt

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. n. 1. Sign, token, symbol, trace, line, impress, impression, stamp, print, characteristic. 2. Indication, evidence, proof, symptom, token, characteristic, trace, vestige, track. 3. Badge, sign. 4. Trace, track, vestige, footprint. 5. Object (aimed at). 6. Eminence, consequence, distinction, importance, pre-eminence, eminent position. 7. Cross (made as a signature). II. v. a. 1. Distinguish by a mark, put a mark upon, label. 2. Stamp, brand, designate, characterize, denote, single out, point out, indicate, betoken, imprint, impress. 3. Notice, note, observe, remark, take notice of, regard, heed, evince. III. v. n. Observe, note, remark, take notice.

Foolish Dictionary

In Germany, twenty-three cents. In the United States, only Twain.

Moby Thesaurus

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