marcus

IPA/mˈɑːkəs/
KK[mˈɑrkəs]IPA/mˈɑːrkəs/

marcus — noun

1. A Canadian-born American scientist who won the 1992 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He

1.nounC1
Definition

A Canadian-born American scientist who won the 1992 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He developed a widely taught theory that explains how electrons move from one molecule to another during chemical reactions.

Example

Rudolph A. Marcus became the first Canadian-born chemist to win the Nobel Prize in 1992.

passive: [Name] became the first [role] to win [prize]

The Marcus theory of electron transfer is now taught in university chemistry courses worldwide.

attributive noun: 'the Marcus theory' / 'the Marcus equation'

Common collocations
  • Marcus theory
  • Marcus equation
  • electron transfer
  • Nobel Prize
  • Canadian-born chemist
  • Nobel laureate

Grammar Patterns

often in possessive attributive form: [Name]'s + theory/equation

used with definite article in 'the Marcus theory'

Usage Note

In academic writing, Marcus is most often used in possessive attributive form ('Marcus theory', 'Marcus equation'). The definite article is required when referring to the theory by name: 'the Marcus theory'. Outside chemistry contexts, the surname alone may not be recognized without the first name or Nobel reference.

Common Mistakes

Marcus theory was published in the 1950s.
The Marcus theory was first developed in the 1950s.
scientific theories named after a person normally take the definite article 'the'.
I learned about Marcus in class' (when referring to Rudolph A. Marcus).
I learned about Rudolph A. Marcus in class.
using only 'Marcus' can be unclear; specify the full name when first mentioning the person.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

As a unique biographical name, Rudolph A. Marcus has no direct synonyms. In academic writing, he may be referred to by descriptive phrases such as 'the 1992 Nobel laureate in Chemistry' or 'the founder of Marcus theory', but these are circumlocutions rather than synonyms of the name itself.

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • Marcus theory
  • Marcus equation
  • electron transfer theory

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Marcus is a Latin given name (praenomen) dating back to ancient Rome, possibly derived from the name of Mars, the Roman god of war. It entered English through biblical references and Roman historical texts. As a surname, it was carried by Rudolph Arthur Marcus (born 1923), whose family roots trace back to Eastern Europe. The name is unrelated to its use as a given name, but the spelling remains identical.