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daymark

daymark

8.8
A mark or pattern on a lighthouse that helps sailors find a place by day
  • noun
  • /ˈdeɪˌmɑrk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : marca diurna
  • Daymark refers to the distinctive paint color or pattern that makes the tower a valuable guide to navigation in the daytime.

Examples

  • Red, white, and black are favorite daymark colors, as is a stripe pattern.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Guided by the yellow daymark on the cliff, the sailors found their way back to the harbor.

  • Dick was going off to the left of the daymark, trying to pass it very close.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Give them sailors a proper daymark.

  • There was an orange daymark ahead, and Hilary tried to guess whether Dick would leave it to port or to starboard.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Red is thus the logical choice for the daymark of portside pierhead lights on Lake Michigan.

    Academic text (2007)
  • The lighthouse height, daymark, accessibility, and history contribute to its role as my first-order lighthouse of the Southeast.

    Academic text (2007)
  • The bright red and white daymark helped sailors safely navigate through the fog.

  • Each lighthouse has a unique daymark that makes it easily identifiable during the day.

Synonyms

marker
vsdaymark
86 1.0

An object placed to show a position, boundary or route

is used to guide sailors or boats during daylight rather than general position signs
marking
vsdaymark
69 3.0

A pattern or sign on something that helps you tell it apart

is a visible feature that helps sailors identify a location during daylight

How Visible

beacon
66 4.3
daymark
  • Specialized
8.8

Surface Forms

daymark singular
daymarks plural

Morphology

daymark = day + mark (transparent) = day + mark

The compound literally combines 'day' and 'mark' to mean a marker visible by day, which is directly inferable.

Etymology

Daymark is made of day ('day') and mark ('sign'), so it means a 'daytime sign'. Think of it like a landmark you can see in daylight — a painted pattern or shape that helps sailors find a place. That's why a daymark is used to identify locations during the day.