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REFERENCE

marking

n.
US //ˈmɑɹkɪŋ// UK //mˈɑːkɪŋ// mark·ing
  1. 1 grading student work (n.)
    B1 Intermediate British English

    the work a teacher does to check and correct students' assignments or exams.

    the process of evaluating and correcting students' written work or examinations. Uncountable in the sense of the activity; countable when referring to specific marks made.

    Example

    The teacher spent the whole weekend doing the marking for our history essays.

    Example

    The department head implemented a new double-blind marking system to ensure that final grades remained objective and fair across all seminar groups.

    Usage

    Commonly used as an uncountable noun for the activity of grading.

  2. 2 animal patterns (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Science

    the natural patterns, spots, or stripes on an animal's fur, feathers, or skin.

    the characteristic patterns of colour or texture on an animal, bird, or insect. Usually plural when referring to the overall appearance.

    Example

    The bird has distinctive white markings around its eyes that make it easy to identify.

    Example

    The leopard's unique markings provide essential camouflage, allowing it to blend seamlessly into the dappled light of the forest floor.

    Usage

    Often used in the plural form 'markings'.

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  1. 3 identifying symbols (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    signs, labels, or symbols on an object that show what it is or who it belongs to.

    a set of symbols, letters, or patterns used to identify the origin, ownership, or type of an object.

    Example

    The old crate had military markings on the side, but the date was faded.

    Example

    The aircraft bore no visible markings, making it impossible for the ground crew to determine its country of origin or its intended destination.

Origin

From Middle English marking, merking, merkunge, from Old English mearcung, from Proto-West Germanic *markungu, equivalent to mark + -ing.

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