n. & v.
--n.
1. a small pointed missile used as a weapon or in a game.
2 (in pl.; usu. treated as sing.) an indoor game in which light feathered darts are thrown at a circular target to score points.
3 a sudden rapid movement.
4 Zool. a dartlike structure, such as an insect's sting or the calcareous projections of a snail (used during copulation).
5 a tapering tuck stitched in a garment.
--v.
1. intr. (often foll. by out, in, past, etc.) move or go suddenly or rapidly (darted into the shop).
2 tr. throw (a missile).
3 tr. direct suddenly (a glance etc.).
Etymology: ME f. OF darz, dars, f. Frank.