Main Entry:

¹point

Pronunciation:

\ˈpȯint\

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 points> b: the most important essential in a discussion or matter <missed the whole point of the joke> c: cogency2obsolete : physical condition3: 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 points> 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 scale5 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 outlet6 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 instrument7: a short musical phrase ; especially : a phrase in contrapuntal music8 a: a very small mark b (1): punctuation mark ; especially : period 5a (1) (2): decimal point9: a lace for tying parts of a garment together used especially in the 16th and 17th centuries10: one of usually 11 divisions of a heraldic shield that determines the position of a charge11 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 points of the compass>12: a small detachment ahead of an advance guard or behind a rear guard13 a: needlepoint 1 b: lace made with a bobbin14: one of 12 spaces marked off on each side of a backgammon board15: 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 position18: 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 1319: credit accruing from creating a good impression <scored points 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>