zebra mark, n.

zebra-mark
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zebra-mark_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2018

# zebra marknoun

## Factsheet

### Where does the noun zebra mark come from?

Earliest known use

1840s

The earliest known use of the noun zebra mark is in the 1840s.

OED's earliest evidence for zebra mark is from 1842, in the Morning Post (London).

### Nearby entries

1. zeaxanthin, n. 1929–
2. Zebedist, n. 1574
3. zebra, n. 1597–
4. zebra caterpillar, n. 1841–
5. zebra crossing, n. 1934–
6. zebra danio, n. 1917–
7. zebraed, adj. 1806–
8. zebra finch, n. 1868–
9. zebrafish, n. 1771–
10. zebraic, adj. 1858–
11. zebra mark, n.1842–
12. zebra marking, n. 1854–
13. zebra moray, n. 1933–
14. zebra mule, n. 1841–
15. zebra mussel, n. 1866–
16. zebrano, n. 1908–
17. zebra opossum, n. 1808–
18. zebra parakeet, n. 1856–
19. zebra plant, n. 1826–
20. zebra poison, n. 1871–74
21. zebra print, n. & adj. 1932–

## Meaning & use

1. 1842–
   See zebra n. Compounds.
   1. 1842

      > Colour dun with zebra marks, long black mane and tail.

      Morning Post 12 July 1/5
   2. 1973

      > Body marks include zebra marks, striping on the limbs, neck, withers or quarters.

      C.E.G. Hope & G.N. Jackson, Encycl. of Horse 117/1
   3. 2002

      > The striping in the leaves is controlled by temperature, and initially they grow plain green, but acquire their zebra marks as it gets hotter.

      Observer Magazine (Nexis) 10 November 64

Originally published as part of the entry for zebra, n.

zebra, n. was revised in June 2018.