spot

¹spot

noun \ˈspät\

Definition of SPOT

1

: a taint on character or reputation : fault <the only spot on the family name>

2

a : a small area visibly different (as in color, finish, or material) from the surrounding area

b (1) : an area marred or marked (as by dirt) (2) : a circumscribed surface lesion of disease (as measles) or decay <spots of rot> <rust spots on a leaf>

c : a conventionalized design used on playing cards to distinguish the suits and indicate values

3

: an object having a specified number of spots or a specified numeral on its surface

4

: a small quantity or amount : bit

5

a : a particular place, area, or part

b : a small extent of space

6

plural usually spot : a small croaker (Leiostomus xanthurus) of the Atlantic coast with a black spot behind the opercula

7

a : a particular position (as in an organization or a hierarchy)

b : a place or appearance on an entertainment program

8

: spotlight

9

: a position usually of difficulty or embarrassment

10

: a brief announcement or advertisement broadcast between scheduled radio or television programs

11

: a brief segment or report on a broadcast especially of news

— on the spot

1

: at once : immediately

2

: at the place of action

3

a : in a responsible or accountable position

b : in a difficult or trying situation

Examples of SPOT

1. The wood still has some rough spots.
2. The chair's original paint is still visible in spots.
3. He fell through a weak spot in the ice.
4. The tablecloth had a couple of spots.
5. There were mud spots on the back of his pants.
6. rust spots on the metal
7. I noticed some red spots on my arms.
8. spots of rot on the leaf
9. a teenager with spots on his face
10. This looks like a good spot for a picnic.

Origin of SPOT

Middle English; akin to Middle Dutch spotte stain, speck, Old Norse spotti small piece

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to SPOT

Synonyms

blotch, dapple, dot, eyespot, fleck, mottle, patch, pip, point, speck, speckle, splotch

Related Words

birthmark, freckle, mole; blob, blot, mark, smear, smudge, smutch, stain; spatter, splash; polka dot

Near Antonyms

award, credit, honor; chasteness, chastity, modesty, purity, stainlessness; good, right; honesty, integrity, legitimacy, probity, rectitude, scrupulousness, uprightness; goodness, righteousness, virtuousness; fame, glory, renown, repute

Rhymes with SPOT

aught, baht, blot, bot, clot, cot, dot, ghat, grot, hot, jot, khat, knot, kyat, lot, lotte, Mott, motte, naught, not, plot, pot, rot, scot, Scot, shot, skat, slot, snot, sot, squat, stot, swat, swot, tot, trot, watt, Watt, what, wot, yacht

²spot

verb

spot·tedspot·ting

Definition of SPOT

transitive verb

1

: to stain the character or reputation of : disgrace

2

: to mark in or with a spot : stain

3

: to locate or identify by a spot

4

a : to single out : identify; especially : to note as a known criminal or a suspicious person

b : detect, notice <spot a mistake>

c (1) : to locate accurately <spot an enemy position> (2) : to cause to strike accurately <spot the battery's fire>

5

a : to lie at intervals in or over : stud

b : to place at intervals or in a desired spot <spot field telephones>

c : to fix in or as if in the beam of a spotlight

d : to schedule in a particular spot or at a particular time

6

: to remove a spot from

7

: to allow as a handicap

intransitive verb

1

: to become stained or discolored in spots

2

: to cause a spot

3

: to act as a spotter; especially : to locate targets

4

: to experience abnormal and sporadic bleeding in small amounts from the uterus

— spot·ta·ble \ˈspä-tə-bəl\ adjective

Examples of SPOT

1. She spotted a deer in the woods.
2. The band's lead singer was recently spotted with a well-known actress.
3. They spotted us five points, and we still lost.
4. I'm a little short of cash. Can you spot me five bucks?
5. The official spotted the ball at the 10-yard line.

First Known Use of SPOT

14th century

Related to SPOT

Synonyms

blotch, dapple, dot, fleck, freckle, marble, mottle, pepper, shoot, speck, speckle, splotch, sprinkle, stipple

Related Words

blot, dye, stain; band, bar, streak, stripe; intersperse, set, stud; bespatter, spatter

Near Antonyms

disregard, ignore, neglect, overpass, pass over; miss, overlook

³spot

adjective

Definition of SPOT

1

a : being, originating, or done on the spot or in or for a particular spot <spot coverage of the news>

b : available for immediate delivery after sale <spot commodities>

c (1) : paid out upon delivery <spot cash> (2) : involving immediate cash payment <a spot transaction>

d (1) : broadcast between scheduled programs <spot announcements> (2) : originating in a local station for a national advertiser

e : performing occasionally when needed <a spot starter>

2

: made at random or restricted to a few places or instances <a spot check>; also : selected at random or as a sample

Examples of SPOT

1. the difference between futures and spot commodities
2. the spot price of wheat

First Known Use of SPOT

1881

Other Broadcasting Terms

continuity, dissolve, fade, feed, remote, residual, spike, wipe