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Glite Dictionary
ditto mark

ditto mark

8.0
A mark used to show that the word or number above is repeated
  • noun
  • /ˈdɪtoʊ mɑrk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : marca de repetición
  • To save time, she inserted a ditto mark next to the repeated items on her shopping list.

Examples

  • Please use a ditto mark instead of writing the same entry twice.

  • The table included several ditto marks to indicate repeated information.

  • He mistakenly entered the value instead of using a ditto mark in the list.

  • Use a ditto mark.

  • I need a ditto mark!

  • In the report, the author used a ditto mark to avoid redundancy in the data presentation.

  • The teacher explained that a ditto mark simplifies writing by showing the same information is repeated.

Synonyms

symbol
vsditto mark
73 2.7

A mark, like a letter, that stands for something

is a specific mark used to show the item above repeats
ditto
vsditto mark
28 7.5

A mark or word that shows the same words appear above

is the specific typographic sign used to repeat the item above

Surface Forms

ditto mark singular
ditto marks plural

Morphology

ditto + mark

The meaning is directly compositional: 'ditto' denotes repetition and 'mark' denotes a symbol, so 'ditto mark' straightforwardly means a symbol indicating that the item above is repeated. This follows regular noun-noun compounding patterns and is easily inferable by a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

Ditto mark comes from a small symbol people put under a word in lists to show ditto, 'the same as above'. Imagine not writing the word again but drawing a little mark under it; that's why the term means a sign that tells you to 'repeat' the item above.