mar

Everyday

1. (formal) To spoil or damage something, making it less good or less beautiful. tree →
2. (Mar.) Short for March, the month, in lists and calendars. tree →
3. Mar! is an old shout meaning 'hit him, hit him!' tree →

In the lessons

Used mainly in writing and news: «the match was marred by rain», «the picture was marred by a scratch». It tells the reader something good was partly ruined. In everyday talk people say «spoil» or «ruin». Phrases: marred by, make or mar (old saying).

Examples

• Rain marred our sports day. tree →
• A deep scratch marred the shiny table. tree →
• The party was marred by an argument. tree →
• Nothing could mar her happiness. tree →
• Litter marred the beautiful beach. tree →
• One mistake marred an otherwise perfect test. tree →
• The holiday was marred by a stomach bug. tree →
• Graffiti marred the new wall. tree →
• Mar! (Hit him, hit him!) Mind the post! tree →

Note

Verb forms double the r: marred, marring. Formal/written; casual talk: spoil, ruin, wreck. «Mar» is also an abbreviation of March in lists; that is not the verb. Do not confuse with «ma» (mum) or «mare» (female horse).

In Jewish tradition

The law forbids shaving or cutting off the corners of the beard and the sides of the head. It is part of the rules of holiness.

Interpretation. The rabbis explained this as not using a razor to remove the beard's edges, and many observant men keep their sidelocks (peyot). Some say it avoided copying the customs of idol-worshipers.

Examples

• Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard. (Torah LEV.19.27, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thus saith the LORD: After this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem, (Prophets JER.13.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the near kinsman said: 'I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance; take thou my right of redemption on thee; for I cannot redeem it.' — (Writings RUT.4.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• And ye shall smite every fortified city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all fountains of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.' (Prophets 2KI.3.19, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Verb forms double the r: marred, marring. Formal/written; casual talk: spoil, ruin, wreck. «Mar» is also an abbreviation of March in lists; that is not the verb. Do not confuse with «ma» (mum) or «mare» (female horse).