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Added 9 October 2026

hallmark

/ˈhɔːlmɑːk/ noun

First recorded: 1864 Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about hallmark at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A distinguishing characteristic.
An official marking made by a trusted party, usually an assay office, on items made of precious metals.

verb

To provide or stamp with a hallmark.

Origin

1721. From hall + mark, from Goldsmiths' Hall in London, the site of the assay office, official stamp of purity in gold and silver articles. The general sense of “mark of quality” first recorded 1864. Use as a verb from 1773.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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