point ‧ er /ˈpɔɪntə $ -ər/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ point , ↑ pointer , ↑ pointlessness ; adjective : ↑ pointed , ↑ pointy , ↑ pointless ; adverb : ↑ pointlessly , ↑ pointedly ; verb : ↑ point ]
1 . ADVICE a useful piece of advice or information that helps you to do or understand something SYN tip
pointer on
Ralph gave me some pointers on my golf swing.
practical/useful/helpful pointers
a few useful pointers about using the technique
2 . SIGN British English something that shows how a situation is developing, or is a sign of what might happen in the future SYN indicator
pointer to
an encouraging pointer to an improvement in the economy
The local elections were seen as a pointer to the general elections.
3 . COMPUTER the small symbol, usually an ↑ arrow , that you move using a computer’s ↑ mouse to point to the place on the screen where you want to work, start a program etc:
Position the mouse pointer and click.
4 . STICK a long stick used to point at things on a map, board etc
5 . SHOWS NUMBER/DIRECTION ETC a thin piece of metal that points to a number or direction on a piece of equipment, for example on a measuring instrument:
The pointer was between 35 and 40 pounds.
6 . DOG a hunting dog that stands very still and points with its nose to where birds or animals are hiding