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punt

noun (1)
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\ ˈpənt How to pronounce punt (audio) \

Definition of punt

 (Entry 1 of 8)

: a long narrow flat-bottomed boat with square ends usually propelled with a pole

punt

verb (1)
punted; punting; punts

Definition of punt (Entry 2 of 8)

transitive verb

: to propel (a boat, such as a punt) with a pole

punt

verb (2)
punted; punting; punts

Definition of punt (Entry 3 of 8)

intransitive verb

1 : to play at a gambling game against the banker
2 British : gamble

punt

verb (3)
punted; punting; punts

Definition of punt (Entry 4 of 8)

transitive verb

: to kick (something, such as a football or soccer ball) with the top of the foot before the ball which is dropped from the hands hits the ground

intransitive verb

: to punt a ball

punt

noun (2)

Definition of punt (Entry 5 of 8)

: the act or an instance of punting a ball

punt

noun (3)
plural punts

Definition of punt (Entry 6 of 8)

: a concave indentation in the bottom of a wine bottle

punt

noun (4)
\ ˈpu̇nt How to pronounce punt (audio) \

Definition of punt (Entry 7 of 8)

: the monetary pound of Ireland

Punt

geographical name
\ ˈpu̇nt How to pronounce Punt (audio) \

Definition of Punt (Entry 8 of 8)

a part of Africa not certainly identified but probably Somaliland —an ancient Egyptian name

First Known Use of punt

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (1)

1759, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1712, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (3)

1845, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (2)

1845, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1862, in the meaning defined above

Noun (4)

1975, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for punt

Noun (1)

Middle English *punt, from Old English, from Latin ponton-, ponto

Verb (2)

French ponter, from ponte point in some games, play against the banker, from Spanish punto point, from Latin punctum — more at point

Verb (3)

origin unknown

Noun (3)

probably a shortening of punt mark or a similar collocation with punt "metal rod used in fashioning hot glass" (shortened from punty), referring to the mark left by the rod in a piece of blown glass

Noun (4)

Irish, pound, from English pound

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Time Traveler for punt

Time Traveler

The first known use of punt was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Punt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punt. Accessed 3 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for punt

punt

verb
\ ˈpənt How to pronounce punt (audio) \
punted; punting

Kids Definition of punt

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: to drop and kick a ball before it hits the ground

Other Words from punt

punter noun

punt

noun

Kids Definition of punt (Entry 2 of 2)

: an act or instance of dropping and kicking a ball before it hits the ground

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More from Merriam-Webster on punt

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for punt

Nglish: Translation of punt for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about punt

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