pɔɪnt n. & v. --n. 1
the sharp or tapered
end of a
tool,
weapon,
pencil, etc. 2 a tip or
extreme end. 3
that which in
geometry has position but
not magnitude, e.g. the
intersection of
two lines. 4 a
particular place or position (Bombay
and points
east; point of contact). 5 a a
precise or particular
moment (at the point of death). b the
critical or
decisive moment (when it
came to the point, he refused). 6 a
very small mark on a
surface. 7 a a
dot or
other punctuation mark,
esp. = full point =
FULL(1). b a dot or small
stroke used in
Semitic languages to
indicate vowels or
distinguish consonants. 8 =
decimal point. 9 a
stage or
degree in
progress or
increase (abrupt to the point of rudeness; at that point we
gave up). 10 a
level of
temperature at which a
change of
state occurs (freezing-point). 11 a
single item; a
detail or particular (we
differ on
these points; it is a point of principle). 12 a a
unit of scoring in games or of measuring
value etc. b an
advantage or
success in
less quantifiable contexts
such as an
argument or
discussion. c a unit of
weight (2 mg)
for diamonds. d a unit (of varying value) in quoting the
price of stocks etc. 13 a (usu. prec. by the) the
significant or
essential thing;
what is
actually intended or
under discussion (that
was the point of the question). b (usu.
with neg. or interrog.;
often foll. by in)
sense or
purpose; advantage or value (saw no point in staying). c (usu. prec. by the) a
salient feature of a story,
joke,
remark, etc. (don't see the point). 14 a
distinctive feature or
characteristic (it has
its points;
tact is not
his good point). 15 pungency, effectiveness (their comments lacked point). 16 a
each of 32 directions
marked at
equal distances
round a
compass. b the corresponding
direction towards the
horizon. 17 (usu. in pl.)
Brit. a
junction of two
railway lines, with a
pair of linked tapering rails that can be moved laterally to
allow a
train to pass
from one line to the other. 18 Brit. =
power point. 19 (usu. in pl.) each of a set of
electrical contacts in the
distributor of a
motor vehicle. 20 Cricket a a
fielder on the
off side near the
batsman. b
this position. 21 the tip of the
toe in
ballet. 22 a
promontory. 23 the
prong of a deer's
antler. 24 the extremities of a
dog,
horse, etc. 25
Printing a unit of
measurement for
type bodies (in the UK and US 0.0138
in., in Europe 0.0148 in.). 26
Hunting a a
spot to which a
straight run is
made. b such a run. 27
Heraldry any of
nine particular positions on a
shield used for specifying the position of charges etc. 28
Boxing the tip of the
chin as a spot for a
knockout blow. 29
Mil. a small leading party of an advanced
guard. 30
hist. a tagged
lace for
lacing a
bodice, attaching a
hose to a
doublet, etc. 31 Naut. a
short piece of
cord at the lower
edge of a
sail for
tying up a reef. 32 the
act or position of a dog in
pointing. --v. 1 (usu. foll. by
to, at) a tr.
direct or
aim (a
finger, weapon, etc.). b intr. direct
attention in a
certain direction (pointed to the
house across the road). 2 intr. (foll. by
at, towards) a aim or be directed to. b tend towards. 3 intr. (foll. by to) indicate; be
evidence of (it
all points to murder). 4 tr.
give point or force to (words or actions). 5 tr.
fill in or repair the joints of (brickwork) with smoothly finished
mortar or
cement. 6 tr. a
punctuate. b
insert points in (written
Hebrew etc.). c mark (Psalms etc.) with signs for chanting. 7 tr.
sharpen (a pencil, tool, etc.). 8 tr. (also absol.) (of a dog) indicate the
presence of (game) by
acting as
pointer. øat all points in
every part or
respect. at the point of (often foll. by
verbal noun) on the verge
of;
about to do (the
action specified).
beside the point
irrelevant or irrelevantly. case in point an
instance that is
relevant or (prec. by the) under
consideration.
have a point be
correct or
effective in one's
contention. in point
apposite, relevant. in point of
fact see FACT.
make (or prove) a (or one's) point
establish a
proposition;
prove one's contention. make a point of (often foll. by verbal noun)
insist on;
treat or
regard as essential. nine points nine tenths, i.e.
nearly the
whole (esp.
possession is nine points of the law). on (or upon) the point of (foll. by verbal noun) about to do (the action specified). point-duty the positioning of a
police officer or
traffic warden at a
crossroad or other point to
control traffic. point lace
thread lace made
wholly with a
needle. point of
honour an action or
circumstance that affects one's
reputation. point of no
return a point in a
journey or
enterprise at which it becomes essential or
more practical to
continue to the end. point of
order a
query in a
debate etc. as to
whether correct
procedure is
being followed. point-of-sale (usu. attrib.) denoting
publicity etc. associated with the place at which goods are retailed. point of
view 1 a position from which a thing is viewed. 2 a particular
way of
considering a
matter. point
out (often foll. by that + clause) indicate,
show;
draw attention to. point-to-point a
steeplechase over a marked
course for horses used regularly in hunting. point up
emphasize; show as
important.
score points off
get the better of in an argument etc.
take a person's point
concede that a
person has made a
valid contention. to the point relevant or relevantly. up to a point to
some extent but not completely.
win on points Boxing win by scoring more points, not by a knockout. [ME f. OF point, pointer f. L
punctum f. pungere punctprick]