Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MARK, n. [Sax. marc, mearc; D. merk; G. marke; Dan. mærke; Sw. märke; W. marc; Fr. marque; Arm. mercq; Sp. Port. and It. marca; Sans. marcca. The word coincides in elements with march, and with marches, borders, the utmost extent, and with market, and L. mercor, the primary sense of which is to go, to pass; as we see by the Greek εμπορευομαι, from πορευομαι, to pass, Eng. fair, and fare. Thus in Dutch, mark signifies a mark, a boundary, and a march. Class Mr, No. 7, Ar.]

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. Gen. iv.
4. Any visible effect of force or agency. There are scarce any marks left of a subterraneous fire. Addison.
5. Any apparent or intelligible effect; proof; evidence. The confusion of tongues was a mark of separation. Bacon.
6. Notice taken. The laws / Stand like the forfeits in a barber's shop, / As much for mock as mark. Shak.
7. Any thing to which a missile weapon may be directed. France was a fairer mark to shoot at than Ireland. Davies.
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 can not write his name, and intended as a substitute for it.
11. [Fr. marc, Sp. marco.] 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.]