marker
/ˈmɑːkə
/noun
1An object used to indicate a position, place, or route: they erected a granite marker at the crash site...
- The section start and end positions were indicated with marker posts on the side of the road plus a steel rod was driven into the pavement on the centre line.
- He put it to the defendant that the granite post was a marker for disputed property and the defendant had removed it in a bid to claim the property.
- Some of the coloured route markers are over-ruled by diversion signs.
1.1 [in singular] A distinctive feature or characteristic indicative of a particular quality or condition: identification with one’s own language has always been a marker of nationalism...
- Coital frequency itself may be a marker for some qualitative aspect of the interpersonal relationship.
- In addition, the patient's perception of pain control has been established as a marker of quality.
- There is no more distinctive marker of the conservative sensibility than accurate use of the subjunctive mood in speech.
1.2A thing serving as a standard of comparison: he has already laid down a marker by setting a fast time during practice...
- The courts have laid down a marker before the executive branch - they have staked out their procedural position.
- It might have ended in defeat but York City Knights laid down a marker for themselves yesterday with a performance full of pride, effort and ability.
- In Division Two, Old Crescent laid down a marker with a comprehensive victory over Midleton at Rosbrien on Saturday.
1.3A radio beacon used to guide the pilot of an aircraft.
1.4 Genetics An allele used to identify a chromosome or to locate other genes on a genetic map.Thus, these measures require only knowledge of the chromosome number for the markers in both genomes....
- The horizontal axis shows the chromosomes of interest with markers from the genetic map.
- The chromosome maps are given below the images, with black tick marks indicating the position of markers.
2 (also marker pen) A felt-tip pen with a broad tip: a heavy line drawn by a marker...
- On last day of school you attempted to get me disqualified from my business exam by using a marker pen and writing on me
- The dossier was sent to newspapers, in one case with the 45-minute claim highlighted with a marker pen.
- A couple of minutes ago I picked up the marker pen sitting at the side of the mouse and start doodling on a business card that sits atop the keyboard - a legacy from yet another idea that seemed brilliant only days ago.
3British (In team games) a player who stays close to an opponent to prevent them from getting or passing the ball: Quinn took the ball wide of his marker...
- On one occasion he picked up the ball, spun his marker, played a quick one-two, dashed clear… and put the ball wide.
- Yes, I really enjoyed the game, it was a great ball across the face of the box by Scott Murray and I just managed to get in front of my marker to slide the ball past Richard Wright.
- Vryzas muscles his marker off the ball after Russia fail to clear from a corner, and knocks the ball in from six yards.
4British A person who assesses the standard of a test or examination: the aim of the marker is to help the student do better next time...
- There are too few teachers and examination markers.
- For example, in the external assessment the markers are experienced teachers, trained by a chief examiner.
- If the assessment is subjective, the level of agreement between markers must be tested in order to validate the process of marking.
4.1A person who records the score in snooker, billiards, or squash.He strode in, startling the billiard marker, Thomas Budd, who was about to close the side door....
- The marker was Burley-in-Wharfedale's English Billiards champion Steve Crosland.
5North American informal A promissory note; an IOU: we’ll give you a marker, you give us the car
