demarcation

or de·mar·ka·tion

[ dee-mahr-key-shuhn ]

noun

1. the determining and marking off of the boundaries of something.
2. separation by distinct boundaries:

   line of demarcation.

demarcation

/ ˌdiːmɑːˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of establishing limits or boundaries
2. a limit or boundary
3. 1. a strict separation of the kinds of work performed by members of different trade unions
   2. ( as modifier )

      demarcation dispute

4. separation or distinction (often in the phrase line of demarcation )

Word History and Origins

Origin of demarcation¹

1720–30; Latinization of Spanish demarcación (in linea de demarcación line of demarcation, dividing the world between Spain and Portugal) derivative of demarcar to mark out the bounds of, equivalent to de- de- + marcar < Italian marcare < Germanic; mark ¹, -ation

Word History and Origins

Origin of demarcation¹

C18: Latinized version of Spanish demarcación, from demarcar to appoint the boundaries of, from marcar to mark, from Italian marcare, of Germanic origin; see mark ¹

Example Sentences

Vehicles of every size and description, piloted by people often at cross purposes, travel along a roadway that serves as a line of demarcation between the bustling city and the respite of the park.

From Outside Online

In considering Morgan’s case, we can see that in addition to these hard demarcations, scientists in the 1970s also used feminist science as a tool of soft demarcation.

From Nautilus

At home there’s no demarcation between your sofa and the world.

From Time

“You want simple and sensible demarcations, but you also want to be inclusive and diverse,” Mwanza says.

From Washington Post

Sara wrote about their takes on getting money and endorsements from police officer unions, and that turned out to be a very interesting demarcation.

From Voice of San Diego

In Voodoo, the demarcation between life and death is more fluid; helping Voodoo followers create order out of disorder.

From The Daily Beast

At that demarcation between inside and out, the vista is most expansive.

From The Daily Beast

They've argued about demarcation principles, especially regarding land along the Dragonja River.

From The Daily Beast

Yes, Israel fought a major war with Syria in 1973, but since then, the line of demarcation had been peaceful.

From The Daily Beast

“I think this could really be an important point of demarcation for Jewish public opinion of the president,” Tisch says.

From The Daily Beast

Various points of demarcation might be chosen, each founded on some important step in evolution.

From Project Gutenberg

What is the exact line of demarcation between man and the other animals which he calls brutes?

From Project Gutenberg

Finally a general agreement for the demarcation of Africa was made in 1890 (see Africa, 5).

From Project Gutenberg

Hence, the transition is abrupt; although by no means conclusive as to any broad and trenchant line of ethnological demarcation.

From Project Gutenberg

The Two-banded Scolia stings a little lower down, on the line of demarcation between the first two thoracic segments.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• delimitation
• separation