Marking or markings?

[Dénes Bernád]

I have a question regarding English language: when talking of military insignia, as applied on aircraft, should one refer to it (in singular) as 'a marking' or 'a markings'?
So far I used markings, but now I have doubts.

Thanks for the help.

[John Beaman]

At the risk of being pummeled by English teachers, I would say that "marking" is singular, applied to "a marking", say a roundel. "Markings" would refer to multiple markings on an aircraft, say roundel, squadron codes, etc.

[Graham Boak]

Agreed, and add that you cannot say "a markings" because the indefinite article is always singular. (There's a hostage to fortune if there are any language pedants around - more pedantic then me, that is, or at least better informed...)

[Dénes Bernád]

Thanks, guys, for the advice. It appears I was wrong all along.
In the Oxford dictionary it's written: Marking [C, usually pl.] Does it mean that usually only the plural form has to be used?

[John Beaman]

Originally Posted by Dénes Bernád

Thanks, guys, for the advice. It appears I was wrong all along.
In the Oxford dictionary it's written: Marking [C, usually pl.] Does it mean that usually only the plural form has to be used?

Well , I hate to disagree with the Oxford Dic., and Graham can follow up, but I would definitely say the "a marking" is singular meaning only one on any aircraft, whereas, "markings" refers to multiple instances. People do use "markings" incorrectly in the instance of a single marking.

[Nick Beale]

The "usually plural" just means that in most cases the plane (or bird or whatever) has more than one marking. As John says, an individual roundel (or Balkenkreuz, or fuel triangle or ...) is a marking; all the roundels, fin flashes, stencils etc. are the aircraft's markings.

[Dénes Bernád]

Thank you, guys. This settles the issue.