A semi-quote mark (in the context of English punctuation) is 1: a single quote mark (') as opposed to the double quote ("). Single quotes are used to mark a quote within a quote. As in "I did not say 'never.'" 2: one of « or », used to mark a phrase that is "semi-quoted" (a tight paraphrase that contains some of the original author's words). 3: A paraphrase that closely follows the original. As in «Consider the lilies of the fields: they neither toil nor spin, but not even King Solomon in his glory was dressed as well.»