mark off

present singular third person marks off · participle present marking off · participle past marked off · past marked off

1. transitiveTo separate by or as with a boundary line.

   Measure the gap, mark it off with a pencil, and cut the wood to size.

   2 more examples

   The Latin form, templum, from which the English temple is derived, originally signified an uncovered area marked off by boundaries; especially the place marked off by the augurs to be excepted from all profane uses."

   1913, Catholic Encyclopedia^(http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/Temple)

   A society marked off into classes need be specially attentive only to the education of its ruling elements.

   1916, John Dewey, Democracy and Education

   Synonyms: delineate

2. transitiveTo indicate as dealt with, as on a list.

   Synonyms: check off