# MARC

/ˈmɑɹk/ (US) · /mˈɑːk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/marc
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. fruit residue

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the skins, seeds, and stems that are left over after grapes or other fruits have been pressed for their juice.

For teachers: the refuse matter, specifically the skins, seeds, and stalks, remaining after fruit (especially grapes) has been pressed for juice or oil.

- After the grapes were pressed for wine, the marc was collected to be used as fertilizer.
- The vineyard utilizes the leftover marc as a nutrient-rich compost to improve the soil quality for the next growing season.

Usage: Usually uncountable when referring to the bulk material.

### 2. alcoholic spirit

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a strong alcoholic drink made by distilling the skins and seeds left over from winemaking.

For teachers: a brandy or spirit distilled from the pomace of grapes after the primary fermentation and pressing.

- We finished our dinner with a small glass of French marc.
- While similar to Italian grappa, this specific marc offers a more rustic and earthy profile due to its unique distillation process.

### 3. historical weight or currency

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

an old way of measuring weight or a type of money used in Europe a long time ago.

For teachers: a historical unit of weight, typically equivalent to eight ounces, or various European currencies based on this weight.

- The merchant weighed the silver in marcs before completing the trade.
- Medieval ledgers often recorded transactions in marcs of silver, a standard unit of account across several European territories.

Usage: Often spelled 'mark' in modern English historical texts; 'marc' is the French-derived spelling.

## Examples

- The merchant traded the silk for several silver marcs.
- In medieval trade records, the marc served as a standard measure for weighing precious metals before they were minted into coins.
- The transition from the silver marc to decimalised currency systems marked a significant shift in the economic integration of the European continent during the late nineteenth century.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.