marker
This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 17 October 2026 at 16:12. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈmɑː(ɹ)kə(ɹ)/[1]
Etymology
It is an agent noun from mark and -er.[2] Old English had mearcere (“writer, notary”), glossing Latin notārius (“clerk”), but the word is not found again until the late 15th century, so the modern word is perhaps a separate formation.[2]
Earliest recorded meaning
One who marks game: 1486 in the OED, the late 15th century in Etymonline.[3][2]
Semantic evolution
One who keeps the score in games is from 1532,[3] and one who puts a mark or stamp on things from 1553.[3] In military drill a marker is a soldier placed as a guide in a formation, from 1796.[3] A tool for marking is by 1725,[2] a monument stone from 1888,[2] and the felt-tipped marker pen from 1951.[2]
Timeline
- 1486 – one who marks game.[3]
- 1532 – a scorer.[3]
- 1725 – a marking tool.[2]
- 1888 – a memorial stone.[2]
- 1951 – a marker pen.[2]
Modern meaning
Noun
- A pen with a felt tip, used for marking or writing.
- Something that marks a place or position, such as a bookmark or milestone.
- A sign or indicator of something: a genetic marker.
- A person who marks, such as one who keeps the score or grades papers.
Word family
- biomarker
- genetic marker
- magic marker
- marker gene
Related words
- mark
- highlighter