black markn.
/blak ˈmɑːk/, U.S. /ˌblæk ˈmɑrk/ A (formal or official) record or notification of a person's misdemeanour, bad behaviour, poor performance, etc.; (figurative) disapproval, (a mental note of) censure. Cf. mark n.1 12.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > dispraise or discommendation > [noun] > censure or condemnation > mark of
black coal1525
theta1603
note1605
black mark1624
demerit mark1862
strike1938
1624 Bp. F. White Replie to Iesuit Fishers Answere 216 The Word of God hath set a blacke marke vpon Images deuised by man, when they are applyed to worship.
1659 in Clarke Papers (2005) V. 291 They intend to have a committee of inspections to put a black mark upon all those that are not of some gathered church.
1716 C. Mather Utilia 136 If..you will deliberately do these Things, you will have truly a Black Mark upon you.
1781 J. Newton Cardiphonia I. 180 It has pleased God..to put a black mark upon those sins which affect the peace and welfare of our neighbor, such as adultery and murder.
1845 B. Disraeli Sybil II. iii. iii. 46 Who's pushing on there? I see you, Mrs. Page. Won't there be a black mark against you?
1874 J. S. Blackie On Self-culture 60 Note such a fellow..with a black mark, as a disloyal and disaffected subject.
1917 Outlook 26 Dec. 669/2 New Rochelle has had one black mark recorded against it in the Book of Judgement.
1969 D. R. Cressey Theft of Nation x. 231 The reprimands given by a police department's disciplinary board are viewed by patrolmen as ‘black marks’ against the chances for a pay raise.
2003 E. G. Longacre Man behind Guns (2005) i. 29 He earned black marks for pranks: tossing bucketfuls of water down the halls of the cadet dorms.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2011; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1624