I. ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ noun
( plural point-blanks )
Etymology: probably from point (II) + blank (bull's-eye)
1.
a. : the distance that a missile (as a bullet) flies along a nearly straight horizontal line from its starting point (as the barrel of a gun) before beginning to drop appreciably below that line
b. : the point at which a missile begins to drop appreciably below its initial nearly straight horizontal line of flight
2. : a shot aimed or fired straight at its target
II. adjective
1.
a.
(1) : marked by no appreciable drop below an initial nearly straight horizontal line of flight toward a target
a projectile following a point-blank trajectory
(2) : consisting of or lying within the distance within which something may be aimed or fired straight at a target without having to allow for appreciable drop in the line of flight of the missile shot or to be shot
estimated the point-blank range of the gun
there were lions at point-blank range — Newsweek
b. : aimed or fired straight at a target
a point-blank shot
2. : that is direct, plain, and unequivocal : blunt
a point-blank refusal
III. adverb
1.
a.
(1) : with aim directed straight toward a target ; especially : with aim so directed on a horizontal plane
fired point-blank at the traitor — Desmond Ryan
(2) : without dropping appreciably below an initial nearly horizontal line of flight toward a target
an arrow whistling point-blank toward the bull's-eye
b. archaic
(1) : in a straight direct line : directly
led him point-blank to the bed — M.L.Weems
(2) : wholly , altogether
so point-blank against the common sentiment — John Norris †1711
2. : in a direct, plain, and unequivocal manner : bluntly
asked her point-blank what she wanted