Trademark
/ˈtreɪdˌmɑːrk/noun
A word, symbol, or design legally registered to identify and distinguish the goods or services of one source from those of others.
Did you know?The word is not ancient magic, but the idea is old: merchants have marked goods for centuries, and modern trademark law turned that mark into a legal spell of ownership.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
mearc
“a boundary, sign, or landmark”
Old French
OF
marché
“a market, place of trade”
Middle English
ME
trademarke
“a mark used by a trader or craftsman to identify goods”
19th Century
English
trade mark
“a distinctive sign used in commerce to identify the maker or seller”
Modern English
English
trademark
“a legally protected brand identifier”