👉 A marked weapon, also known as a signified or marked term, is a linguistic concept where a word or phrase carries an additional meaning beyond its literal or dictionary definition due to context, cultural knowledge, or specific usage. This extra layer of meaning is often conveyed through modifications such as prefixes, suffixes, or specific grammatical constructions. For example, the word "break" can mean to shatter something literally, but when marked as "break the window," it implies an intentional, forceful action with a specific intention. Marked weapons are crucial in understanding nuanced language, idioms, and the subtle differences in meaning that arise from context and usage.
