English Explanatory Dictionary

mark of Cain

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A mark of divine protection imposed on Cain, a biblical figure, for murdering his brother Abel.
  2. A stigma of shame.
  3. The darker skin found on people of non-European descent, believed to result from being a supposed descendant of Cain.
noun
  1. Alternative form of mark of Cain.

Word forms

mark of Cain marks of Cain

Etymology

* From: 1611, King James Version of the Bible, Genesis, 4:15 :* And the Lord said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.

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