— targetable , adj. — targetless , adj.
/tahr"git/ , n.
1. an object, usually marked with concentric circles, to be aimed at in shooting practice or contests.
2. any object used for this purpose.
3. anything fired at.
4. a goal to be reached.
5. an object of abuse, scorn, derision, etc.; butt.
6. Fencing. the portion of a fencer's body where a touch can be scored.
7. a disk-shaped signal, as at a railroad switch, indicating the position of a switch.
8. Survey.
a. the sliding sight on a leveling rod.
b. any marker on which sights are taken.
9. a small shield, usually round, carried by a foot soldier; buckler.
10. on target ,
a. properly aimed or on the right course toward a target.
b. accurate, correct, or valid: Their description of the event was on target.
c. filling or meeting a requirement or expectations: The amount of supplies we took was right on target.
adj.
11. that is or may be a target or goal: The target group consisted of college graduates who earned more than $50,000 a year.
v.t.
12. to use, set up, or designate as a target or goal.
13. to direct toward a target: The new warheads can be targeted with great precision.
14. to make a target of (an object, person, city, etc.) for attack or bombardment.
15. target on or in on , to establish or use as a target or goal: The club is targeting on September for the move to larger quarters.
[ 1350-1400; ME (n.) targuete, var. of targete small shield. See TARGE, -ET ]
Syn. 4. aim, end, purpose.