■ noun
1》 a small round or roundish mark, differing in colour or texture from the surface around it.
↘ chiefly N. Amer. a pip on a domino, playing card, or dice.
↘short for penalty ~ .
2》 a pimple.
3》 a particular place, point, or position.
↘a small feature or part with a particular quality: his bald ~.
↘a place for an individual item within a show.
4》 informal, chiefly Brit. a small amount of something: a ~ of lunch.
5》 [as modifier ] denoting a system of trading in which commodities or currencies are delivered and paid for immediately after a sale.
6》 (also ~ board ) a board for working plaster before application.
7》 [in combination ] informal, chiefly N. Amer. a banknote of a specified value.
■ verb ( ~s , ~ting , ~ted )
1》 see, notice, or recognize (someone or something difficult to detect or sought-after).
↘ Military locate an enemy's position, typically from the air.
↘(in weight training, gymnastics, etc.) observe (a performer) in order to minimize the risk of accidents or injuries.
2》 mark or become marked with ~s.
3》 ( it ~s , it is ~ting , etc.) rain slightly.
4》 place (a ball) on its designated starting point on a billiard table.
5》 N. Amer. informal give or lend (money) to.
↘allow (an advantage) to (someone) in a game or sport.
Phrases
hit the ~ informal be exactly what is required.
in a ~ informal in a difficult situation.
on the ~
1》 immediately.
2》 at the scene of an action or event.
3》 Brit. (of an action) performed without moving from one's original position.
put someone on the ~ informal force someone into a situation in which they must respond or act.
~ on Brit. informal completely accurate or accurately.
Derivatives
~ted adjective
~tedness noun
Origin
ME: perh. from MDu. ~te .