mark time - Definitions from Dictionary.com

4 results for: mark time

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

mark1

–noun

1.	a visible impression or trace on something, as a line, cut, dent, stain, or bruise: a small mark on his arm.

2.	a badge, brand, or other visible sign assumed or imposed: a mark of his noble rank.

3.	a symbol used in writing or printing: a punctuation mark.

4.	a sign, usually an X or cross, made instead of a signature by someone who does not know how or is unable to write his or her own name.

5.	an affixed or impressed device, symbol, inscription, etc., serving to give information, identify, indicate origin or ownership, attest to character or comparative merit, or the like, as a trademark.

6.	a sign, token, or indication: to bow as a mark of respect.

7.	a symbol used in rating conduct, proficiency, attainment, etc., as of pupils in a school: good marks; bad marks.

8.	something serving as an indication of position, as a landmark.

9.	a recognized or required standard of quality, accomplishment, etc.; norm: His dissertation was below the mark.

10.	distinction or importance; repute; note: a man of mark.

11.	a distinctive trait or characteristic: the usual marks of a gentleman.

12.	(usually initial capital letter) U.S. Military. a designation for an item of military equipment in production, used in combination with a numeral to indicate the order of adoption, and often abbreviated: a Mark-4 tank; an M-1 rifle.

13.	an object aimed at; target: to aim at the mark.

14.	an object or end desired or striven for; goal.

15.

Slang.

a.	an object of derision, scorn, manipulation, or the like: He was an easy mark for criticism.

b.	the intended victim of a swindler, hustler, or the like: The cardsharps picked their marks from among the tourists on the cruise ship.

16.	Track. the starting line.

17.	Boxing. the middle of the stomach.

18.	Lawn Bowling. jack¹ (def. 17).

19.	Bowling. a strike or spare.

20.	Nautical. any of the distinctively marked points on a deep-sea lead line, occurring at levels of 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 13, 15, 17, and 20 fathoms above the lead. Compare deep (def. 33).

21.	a tract of land that may have been held in common by a primitive or early medieval community of peasants in Germany.

22.	Archaic or History/Historical. a boundary; frontier.

–verb (used with object)

23.	to be a distinguishing feature of: a day marked by rain.

24.	to put a mark or marks on: to mark each box with an X.

25.	to give a grade for; put a grade on: to mark the final exams.

26.	scent-mark (def. 2).

27.	to furnish with figures, signs, tags, etc., to indicate price, quality, brand name, or the like: We marked all the books with prices.

28.	to trace or form by or as if by marks (often fol. by out): to mark out a plan of attack.

29.	to indicate or designate by or as if by marks: to mark passages to be memorized.

30.	to single out; destine (often fol. by out): to be marked out for promotion.

31.	to record, as a score.

32.	to make manifest: to mark approval with a nod.

33.	to give heed or attention to: Mark my words!

34.	to notice or observe: to mark a change in the weather.

–verb (used without object)

35.	to take notice; give attention; consider.

36.	scent-mark (def. 1).

—Verb phrases

37.	mark down, to reduce the price of: These towels have been marked down.

38.	mark off, to mark the proper dimensions or boundaries of; separate: We marked off the limits of our lot with stakes.

39.

mark up,

a.	to mar or deface with marks.

b.	to mark with notations or symbols.

c.	to fix the selling price of (an article) by adding to the seller's cost an amount to cover expenses and profit: to mark up dresses 50 percent.

d.	to increase the selling price of.

—Idioms

40.	beside the mark, not pertinent; irrelevant.

41.	bless or save the mark! (used as an exclamation of disapproval, contempt, impatience, etc.) Also, God bless or save the mark!

42.	make one's mark, to attain success or fame; achieve one's ambition: He set out to make his mark as a writer.

43.	mark time. time (def. 55).

44.	on your mark or marks! (in calling the start of a race) take your places: On your mark! Get set! Go! Also, get ready!, ready!

45.	wide of the mark, far from the target or objective; inaccurate or irrelevant: My first guess was wide of the mark.

[Origin: bef. 900; (n.) ME; OE mearc mark, sign, banner, dividing line, borderland; c. G Mark borderland, unit of weight, ON mǫrk forest (orig., borderland), unit of weight, Goth marka boundary, borderland, L margō margin; (v.) ME marken, OE mearcian; c. OFris merkia, OHG marchōn, ON marka to plan

]

—Synonyms 10. eminence, consequence. 11. feature, stamp, print. 14. purpose, objective. 29. identify, label, tag. 32, 33. note. 34. eye, regard, spot.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
mark time

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

time

Audio Help [tahym] Pronunciation Key noun, adjective, verb, timed, tim·ing.

–noun

1.	the system of those sequential relations that any event has to any other, as past, present, or future; indefinite and continuous duration regarded as that in which events succeed one another.

2.	duration regarded as belonging to the present life as distinct from the life to come or from eternity; finite duration.

3.	(sometimes initial capital letter) a system or method of measuring or reckoning the passage of time: mean time; apparent time; Greenwich Time.

4.	a limited period or interval, as between two successive events: a long time.

5.	a particular period considered as distinct from other periods: Youth is the best time of life.

Often, times.

a.	a period in the history of the world, or contemporary with the life or activities of a notable person: prehistoric times; in Lincoln's time.

b.	the period or era now or previously present: a sign of the times; How times have changed!

c.	a period considered with reference to its events or prevailing conditions, tendencies, ideas, etc.: hard times; a time of war.

7.	a prescribed or allotted period, as of one's life, for payment of a debt, etc.

8.	the end of a prescribed or allotted period, as of one's life or a pregnancy: His time had come, but there was no one left to mourn over him. When her time came, her husband accompanied her to the delivery room.

9.	a period with reference to personal experience of a specified kind: to have a good time; a hot time in the old town tonight.

10.	a period of work of an employee, or the pay for it; working hours or days or an hourly or daily pay rate.

11.	Informal. a term of enforced duty or imprisonment: to serve time in the army; do time in prison.

12.	the period necessary for or occupied by something: The time of the baseball game was two hours and two minutes. The bus takes too much time, so I'll take a plane.

13.	leisure time; sufficient or spare time: to have time for a vacation; I have no time to stop now.

14.	a particular or definite point in time, as indicated by a clock: What time is it?

15.	a particular part of a year, day, etc.; season or period: It's time for lunch.

16.	an appointed, fit, due, or proper instant or period: a time for sowing; the time when the sun crosses the meridian; There is a time for everything.

17.	the particular point in time when an event is scheduled to take place: train time; curtain time.

18.	an indefinite, frequently prolonged period or duration in the future: Time will tell if what we have done here today was right.

19.	the right occasion or opportunity: to watch one's time.

20.	each occasion of a recurring action or event: to do a thing five times; It's the pitcher's time at bat.

21.	times, used as a multiplicative word in phrasal combinations expressing how many instances of a quantity or factor are taken together: Two goes into six three times; five times faster.

22.	Drama. one of the three unities. Compare unity (def. 8).

23.	Prosody. a unit or a group of units in the measurement of meter.

24.

Music.

a.	tempo; relative rapidity of movement.

b.	the metrical duration of a note or rest.

c.	proper or characteristic tempo.

d.	the general movement of a particular kind of musical composition with reference to its rhythm, metrical structure, and tempo.

e.	the movement of a dance or the like to music so arranged: waltz time.

25.	Military. rate of marching, calculated on the number of paces taken per minute: double time; quick time.

26.	Manège. each completed action or movement of the horse.

–adjective

27.	of, pertaining to, or showing the passage of time.

28.	(of an explosive device) containing a clock so that it will detonate at the desired moment: a time bomb.

29.	Commerce. payable at a stated period of time after presentment: time drafts or notes.

30.	of or pertaining to purchases on the installment plan, or with payment postponed.

–verb (used with object)

31.	to measure or record the speed, duration, or rate of: to time a race.

32.	to fix the duration of: The proctor timed the test at 15 minutes.

33.	to fix the interval between (actions, events, etc.): They timed their strokes at six per minute.

34.	to regulate (a train, clock, etc.) as to time.

35.	to appoint or choose the moment or occasion for; schedule: He timed the attack perfectly.

–verb (used without object)

36.	to keep time; sound or move in unison.

—Idioms

37.	against time, in an effort to finish something within a limited period: We worked against time to get out the newspaper.

38.	ahead of time, before the time due; early: The building was completed ahead of time.

39.

at one time,

a.	once; in a former time: At one time they owned a restaurant.

b.	at the same time; at once: They all tried to talk at one time.

40.	at the same time, nevertheless; yet: I'd like to try it, but at the same time I'm a little afraid.

41.	at times, at intervals; occasionally: At times the city becomes intolerable.

42.	beat someone's time, Slang. to compete for or win a person being dated or courted by another; prevail over a rival: He accused me, his own brother, of trying to beat his time.

43.	behind the times, old-fashioned; dated: These attitudes are behind the times.

44.	for the time being, temporarily; for the present: Let's forget about it for the time being.

45.	from time to time, on occasion; occasionally; at intervals: She comes to see us from time to time.

46.	gain time, to postpone in order to make preparations or gain an advantage; delay the outcome of: He hoped to gain time by putting off signing the papers for a few days more.

47.

in good time,

a.	at the right time; on time; punctually.

b.	in advance of the right time; early: We arrived at the appointed spot in good time.

48.	in no time, in a very brief time; almost at once: Working together, they cleaned the entire house in no time.

49.

in time,

a.	early enough: to come in time for dinner.

b.	in the future; eventually: In time he'll see what is right.

c.	in the correct rhythm or tempo: There would always be at least one child who couldn't play in time with the music.

50.

keep time,

a.	to record time, as a watch or clock does.

b.	to mark or observe the tempo.

c.	to perform rhythmic movements in unison.

51.	kill time, to occupy oneself with some activity to make time pass quickly: While I was waiting, I killed time counting the cars on the freight trains.

52.

make time,

a.	to move quickly, esp. in an attempt to recover lost time.

b.	to travel at a particular speed.

53.	make time with, Slang. to pursue or take as a sexual partner.

54.	many a time, again and again; frequently: Many a time they didn't have enough to eat and went to bed hungry.

55.

mark time,

a.	to suspend progress temporarily, as to await developments; fail to advance.

b.	Military. to move the feet alternately as in marching, but without advancing.

56.	on one's own time, during one's free time; without payment: He worked out more efficient production methods on his own time.

57.

on time,

a.	at the specified time; punctually.

b.	to be paid for within a designated period of time, as in installments: Many people are never out of debt because they buy everything on time.

58.	out of time, not in the proper rhythm: His singing was out of time with the music.

59.	pass the time of day, to converse briefly with or greet someone: The women would stop in the market to pass the time of day.

60.	take one's time, to be slow or leisurely; dawdle: Speed was important here, but he just took his time.

61.	time after time, again and again; repeatedly; often: I've told him time after time not to slam the door.

62.	time and time again, repeatedly; often: Time and time again I warned her to stop smoking. Also, time and again.

63.	time of life, (one's) age: At your time of life you must be careful not to overdo things.

64.	time of one's life, Informal. an extremely enjoyable experience: They had the time of their lives on their trip to Europe.

[Origin: bef. 900; (n.) ME; OE tīma; c. ON tīmi; (v.) ME timen to arrange a time, deriv. of the n.; akin to tide¹

]

—Synonyms 4. term, spell, span. 6. epoch, era.

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

mark¹ Audio Help (märk) Pronunciation Key
n.

A visible trace or impression, such as a line or spot.
A sign, such as a cross, made in lieu of a signature.
A written or printed symbol used for punctuation; a punctuation mark.
1. A number, letter, or symbol used to indicate various grades of academic achievement: got a mark of 95 instead of 100.
2. An appraisal; a rating. Often used in the plural: earned high marks from her superiors.
3. An inscription, name, stamp, label, or seal placed on an article to signify ownership, quality, manufacture, or origin.
4. A notch in an animal's ear or hide indicating ownership.
5. A knot or piece of material placed at various measured lengths on a sounding line to indicate the depth of the water.
6. A Plimsoll mark.
7. A distinctive trait or property: Good manners are the mark of a civilized person.
8. A lasting effect: The experience had left its mark.
9. Mark A particular mode, brand, size, or quality of a product, especially a weapon or machine.
10. Importance; prominence: "a fellow of no mark nor likelihood" (Shakespeare).
11. Notice; attention: a matter unworthy of mark.
12. Sports The place from which racers begin and sometimes end their contest.
13. A point reached or gained: the halfway mark of the race.
14. A record: set a new mark in the long jump.
15. A strike or spare in bowling.
16. A stationary ball in lawn bowling; a jack.
1. An inscription, name, stamp, label, or seal placed on an article to signify ownership, quality, manufacture, or origin.
2. A notch in an animal's ear or hide indicating ownership.
3. A knot or piece of material placed at various measured lengths on a sounding line to indicate the depth of the water.
4. A Plimsoll mark.
5. A distinctive trait or property: Good manners are the mark of a civilized person.
6. A lasting effect: The experience had left its mark.
7. Mark A particular mode, brand, size, or quality of a product, especially a weapon or machine.
8. Importance; prominence: "a fellow of no mark nor likelihood" (Shakespeare).
9. Notice; attention: a matter unworthy of mark.
10. Sports The place from which racers begin and sometimes end their contest.
11. A point reached or gained: the halfway mark of the race.
12. A record: set a new mark in the long jump.
13. A strike or spare in bowling.
14. A stationary ball in lawn bowling; a jack.
Nautical
1. A knot or piece of material placed at various measured lengths on a sounding line to indicate the depth of the water.
2. A Plimsoll mark.
3. A distinctive trait or property: Good manners are the mark of a civilized person.
4. A lasting effect: The experience had left its mark.
5. Mark A particular mode, brand, size, or quality of a product, especially a weapon or machine.
6. Importance; prominence: "a fellow of no mark nor likelihood" (Shakespeare).
7. Notice; attention: a matter unworthy of mark.
8. Sports The place from which racers begin and sometimes end their contest.
9. A point reached or gained: the halfway mark of the race.
10. A record: set a new mark in the long jump.
11. A strike or spare in bowling.
12. A stationary ball in lawn bowling; a jack.
1. A distinctive trait or property: Good manners are the mark of a civilized person.
2. A lasting effect: The experience had left its mark.
3. Mark A particular mode, brand, size, or quality of a product, especially a weapon or machine.
4. Importance; prominence: "a fellow of no mark nor likelihood" (Shakespeare).
5. Notice; attention: a matter unworthy of mark.
6. Sports The place from which racers begin and sometimes end their contest.
7. A point reached or gained: the halfway mark of the race.
8. A record: set a new mark in the long jump.
9. A strike or spare in bowling.
10. A stationary ball in lawn bowling; a jack.
A recognized standard of quality: schoolwork that is not up to the mark.
1. Importance; prominence: "a fellow of no mark nor likelihood" (Shakespeare).
2. Notice; attention: a matter unworthy of mark.
3. Sports The place from which racers begin and sometimes end their contest.
4. A point reached or gained: the halfway mark of the race.
5. A record: set a new mark in the long jump.
6. A strike or spare in bowling.
7. A stationary ball in lawn bowling; a jack.
A target: "A mounted officer would be a conspicuous mark" (Ambrose Bierce).
Something that one wishes to achieve; a goal.
An object or point that serves as a guide.
Slang A person who is the intended victim of a swindler; a dupe.
1. Sports The place from which racers begin and sometimes end their contest.
2. A point reached or gained: the halfway mark of the race.
3. A record: set a new mark in the long jump.
4. A strike or spare in bowling.
5. A stationary ball in lawn bowling; a jack.
Sports
1. A strike or spare in bowling.
2. A stationary ball in lawn bowling; a jack.
A boundary between countries.
A tract of land in medieval England and Germany held in common by a community.
Computer Science A character or feature in a file, record, or data stream used to locate a specific point or condition.

v. marked, mark·ing, marks

v. tr.

1. To make a visible trace or impression on, as with a spot, line, or dent.
2. To form, make, or depict by making a mark: marked a square on the board.
3. To supply with natural markings: gray fur that is marked with stripes.
4. To single out or indicate by or as if by a mark: marked the spot where the treasure was buried; a career marked for glory.
5. To distinguish or characterize: the exuberance that marks her writings; marked the occasion with celebrations.
6. To make conspicuous: a concert marking the composer's 60th birthday.
7. To give attention to; notice: Mark her expression of discontent. Mark my words: they are asking for trouble.
8. To take note of in writing; write down: marked the appointment on my calendar.
9. Sports & Games To record (the score) in various games.
1. To single out or indicate by or as if by a mark: marked the spot where the treasure was buried; a career marked for glory.
2. To distinguish or characterize: the exuberance that marks her writings; marked the occasion with celebrations.
3. To make conspicuous: a concert marking the composer's 60th birthday.
4. To give attention to; notice: Mark her expression of discontent. Mark my words: they are asking for trouble.
5. To take note of in writing; write down: marked the appointment on my calendar.
6. Sports & Games To record (the score) in various games.
To set off or separate by or as if by a line or boundary: marked off the limits of our property.
To attach or affix identification, such as a price tag or maker's label, to.
To evaluate (academic work) according to a scale of letters or numbers; grade.
1. To give attention to; notice: Mark her expression of discontent. Mark my words: they are asking for trouble.
2. To take note of in writing; write down: marked the appointment on my calendar.
3. Sports & Games To record (the score) in various games.
Sports To guard (an opponent), as in soccer.

v. intr.

To make a visible impression: This pen will mark under water.
To receive a visible impression: The floor marks easily.
Sports & Games To keep score.
To determine academic grades: a teacher who marks strictly.
Archaic To pay attention; notice.
To deface by covering with marks.
To mark for sale at a higher price.

Phrasal Verb(s):
mark down
To mark for sale at a lower price.
mark up

To deface by covering with marks.
To mark for sale at a higher price.

Idiom(s):
beside the mark
Beside the point; irrelevant.

Idiom(s):
mark time

To move the feet alternately in the rhythm of a marching step without advancing.
To suspend progress for the time being; wait in readiness.
To function in an apathetic or ineffective manner.

[Middle English, from Old English mearc; see merg- in Indo-European roots.]

Synonyms: These verbs mean to place a mark of identification on: marked the items on the list with a check; brand cattle; labeled the boxes; tagged suitcases; ticketed the new merchandise. See Also Synonyms at sign.

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Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
mark time

to move the feet up and down as if marching, but without going forward
Example: He's only marking time in this job till he gets a better one.

Arabic:	يُحَرِّك قَدَمَيه إلى أعلى وإلى أسْفَل كَأنه يَسير في �
Chinese (Simplified):	踏步走
Chinese (Traditional):	踏步走
Czech:	přešlapovat na místě
Danish:	træde vande
Dutch:	pas op de plaats maken
Estonian:	parajat aega ootama
Finnish:	polkea paikallaan
French:	marquer le pas
German:	auf der Stelle treten
Greek:	κάνω σημειωτόν, υπομένω καρτερικά μέχρι να αλλάξει κτ.
Hungarian:	helyben jár
Icelandic:	ganga á staðnum; bíða átekta
Indonesian:	mengatur irama
Italian:	(restare fermo)

Japanese:	足踏みする
Latvian:	soļot, *mīņāties uz vietas
Lithuanian:	stumti laiką
Norwegian:	slå takten
Polish:	markować
Portuguese (Brazil):	marcar passo
Portuguese (Portugal):	marcar passo
Romanian:	a bate pasul pe loc
Russian:	топтаться на месте; выжидать
Slovak:	prešľapovať na jednom mieste
Slovenian:	prestopati se na mestu
Spanish:	marcar el paso
Swedish:	stå och stampa på samma fläck, ligga i dödvatten
Turkish:	yerinde saymak