n.
Pronunciation: ' po ̇ int
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, partly from Anglo-French, prick, dot, moment, from Latin punctum, from neuter of punctus, past participle of pungere to prick; partly from Anglo-French pointe sharp end, from Vulgar Latin *puncta, from Latin, feminine of punctus, past participle ― more at PUNGENT
Date: 13th century
1 a (1) : an individual detail : ITEM (2) : a distinguishing detail <tact is one of her strong point s > b : the most important essential in a discussion or matter <missed the whole point of the joke> c : COGENCY
2 obsolete : physical condition
3 : an end or object to be achieved : PURPOSE <did not see what point there was in continuing the discussion>
4 a : a geometric element that has zero dimensions and a location determinable by an ordered set of coordinates b (1) : a narrowly localized place having a precisely indicated position <walked to a point 50 yards north of the building> (2) : a particular place : LOCALITY <have come from distant point s > c (1) : an exact moment <at this point I was interrupted> (2) : a time interval immediately before something indicated : VERGE <at the point of death> d (1) : a particular step, stage, or degree in development <had reached the point where nothing seemed to matter anymore> (2) : a definite position in a scale
5 a : the terminal usually sharp or narrowly rounded part of something : TIP b : a weapon or tool having such a part and used for stabbing or piercing: as (1) : ARROWHEAD (2) : SPEARHEAD c (1) : the contact or discharge extremity of an electric device (as a spark plug or distributor) (2) chiefly British : an electric outlet
6 a : a projecting usually tapering piece of land or a sharp prominence b (1) : the tip of a projecting body part (2) : TINE 2 (3) plural : the extremities or markings of the extremities of an animal especially when of a color differing from the rest of the body c : a railroad switch d : the head of the bow of a stringed instrument
7 : a short musical phrase especially : a phrase in contrapuntal music
8 a : a very small mark b (1) : PUNCTUATION MARK especially : PERIOD 5A (1) (2) : DECIMAL POINT
9 : a lace for tying parts of a garment together used especially in the 16th and 17th centuries
10 : one of usually 11 divisions of a heraldic shield that determines the position of a charge
11 a : one of the 32 equidistant spots of a compass card for indicating direction b : the difference of 111/4 degrees between two such successive points c : a direction indicated by a compass point <from all point s of the compass>
12 : a small detachment ahead of an advance guard or behind a rear guard
13 a : NEEDLEPOINT 1 b : lace made with a bobbin
14 : one of 12 spaces marked off on each side of a backgammon board
15 : a unit of measurement: as a (1) : a unit of counting in the scoring of a game or contest (2) : a unit used in evaluating the strength of a bridge hand b : a unit of academic credit c (1) : a unit used in quoting prices (as of stocks, bonds, and commodities) (2) plural : a percentage of the face value of a loan often added as a placement fee or service charge (3) : a percentage of the profits of a business venture (as a motion-picture production) d : a unit of about 1/72 inch used especially to measure the size of type
16 : the action of pointing: as a : the rigidly intent attitude of a hunting dog marking game for a gunner b : the action in dancing of extending one leg and arching the foot so that only the tips of the toes touch the floor
17 : a position of a player in various games (as lacrosse) also : the player of such a position
18 : a number thrown on the first roll of the dice in craps which the player attempts to repeat before throwing a seven ― compare MISSOUT , PASS 13
19 : credit accruing from creating a good impression <scored point s for hard work>
– beside the point : IRRELEVANT
– in point of : with regard to : in the matter of < in point of law> < in point of fact>
– to the point : RELEVANT , PERTINENT <a suggestion that was to the point >