English
point
see also: Point
Pronunciation
  • (British, America) enPR: point, IPA: /pɔɪnt/
Etymology 1

From Middle English poynt, from Old French point, from Latin pūnctum, substantive use of pūnctus, perfect passive participle of pungō ("I prick, punch") (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *pewǵ-); alternatively, from Old French pointe, from Latin pūnctus.

Noun

point (plural points)

  1. A small dot or mark.
    1. Something tiny, as a pinprick; a very small mark. [from 15th c.]
      The stars showed as tiny points of yellow light.
    2. A full stop or other terminal punctuation mark. [from 14th c.]
    3. (mathematics) A decimal point (now especially when reading decimal fractions aloud). [from 18th c.]
      10.5 is "ten point five", or ten and a half.
    4. Each of the marks or strokes written above letters, especially in Semitic languages, to indicate vowels, stress etc. [from 17th c.]
    5. (music) A dot or mark used to designate certain tones or time. In ancient music, it distinguished or characterized certain tones or styles (points of perfection, of augmentation, etc.). In modern music, it is placed on the right of a note to raise its value, or prolong its time, by one half.
    6. (by extension) A note; a tune.
      • 1826, [Walter Scott], Woodstock; Or, The Cavalier. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), Edinburgh: […] [James Ballantyne and Co.] for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green, →OCLC ↗:
        Sound the trumpet — not a levant, or a flourish, but a point of war.
    7. (mathematics, science) A zero-dimensional mathematical object representing a location in one or more dimensions; something considered to have position but no magnitude or direction. [from 14th c.]
  2. A small discrete division or individual feature of something.
    1. An individual element in a larger whole; a particular detail, thought, or quality. [from 13th c.]
      The Congress debated the finer points of the bill.
    2. A particular moment in an event or occurrence; a juncture. [from 13th c.]
      There comes a point in a marathon when some people give up.
      At this point in the meeting, I'd like to propose a new item for the agenda.
    3. (archaic) Condition, state. [from 13th c.]
      She was not feeling in good point.
    4. A topic of discussion or debate; a proposition. [from 14th c.]
      I made the point that we all had an interest to protect.
    5. (US, slang, dated) An item of private information; a hint; a tip; a pointer.
    6. A focus of conversation or consideration; the main idea.
      The point is that we should stay together, whatever happens.
    7. A purpose or objective, which makes something meaningful. [from 14th c.]
      Since the decision has already been made, I see little point in further discussion.
    8. (obsolete) The smallest quantity of something; a jot, a whit. [14th]
    9. (obsolete) A tiny amount of time; a moment. [14th]
    10. A specific location or place, seen as a spatial position. [from 14th c.]
      We should meet at a pre-arranged point.
    11. A distinguishing quality or characteristic. [from 15th c.]
      Logic isn't my strong point.
    12. (in the plural, dated) The chief or excellent features.
      the points of a horse
      • 1931, Arnold Bennett, The Night Visitor and Other Stories, page 290:
        Knowledge was always useful, and he had frequently heard the words 'Great Portland Street' on the lips of his son, who regularly perused all the twelve automobilistic papers, and who was apparently the most learned pundit and inclusive encyclopædia ever created on the subject of petrol-driven vehicles, their prices, and their innumerable points.
    13. (usually, in the plural) An area of contrasting colour on an animal, especially a dog; a marking. [from 19th c.]
      The point color of that cat was a deep, rich sable.
    14. (now only in phrases) A tenth; formerly also a twelfth. [from 17th c.]
      Possession is nine points of the law.
    15. Short for percentage point.
      • 2013, Louise Levison, Filmmakers and Financing: Business Plans for Independents, page 67:
        We have yet to touch on the idea of stars and directors receiving gross points, which is a percentage of the studio's gross dollar (e.g., the $5.00 studio share of the total box office dollar in Table 4.1). Even if the points are paid on "first dollar," the reference is only to studio share.
    16. (sports, video games, board games) A unit of scoring in a game or competition. [from 18th c.]
      The one with the most points will win the game.
    17. (video games, board games) A unit of various numerical parameters used in a game, e.g. health, experience, stamina, mana.
      This attack deals 320 points of damage.
      Defeating the boss grants 60 experience points.
    18. (economics) A unit used to express differences in prices of stocks and shares. [from 19th c.]
    19. (typography) a unit of measure equal to 1/12 of a pica, or approximately 1/72 of an inch (exactly 1/72 of an inch in the digital era). [from 19th c.]
    20. (UK) An electric power socket. [from 20th c.]
    21. (navigation, nautical) A unit of bearing equal to one thirty-second of a circle, i.e. 11.25°.
      Ship ahoy, three points off the starboard bow!
    22. (UK) A unit of measure for rain, equal to 0.254 mm or 0.01 of an inch.
    23. (automotive, mostly, in the plural) Either of the two metal surfaces in a distributor which close or open to allow or prevent the flow of current through the ignition coil. There is usually a moving point, pushed by the distributor cam, and a fixed point, and they are built together as a unit.
  3. A sharp extremity.
    1. The sharp tip of an object. [from 14th c.]
      Cut the skin with the point of the knife.
      • c. 1587–1588, [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC ↗; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire, London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act III, scene iii ↗:
        Leaue words & let them feele your lances pointes
    2. Any projecting extremity of an object. [from 14th c.]
    3. An object which has a sharp or tapering tip. [from 14th c.]
      His cowboy belt was studded with points.
      1. (archaeology) A spearhead or similar object hafted to a handle.
      2. (medicine, obsolete) A vaccine point.
    4. (backgammon) Each of the twelve triangular positions in either table of a backgammon board, on which the stones are played. [from 15th c.]
    5. A peninsula or promontory. [from 15th c.]
    6. The position at the front or vanguard of an advancing force. [from 16th c.]
      • 2004, Martin Torgoff, Can't Find My Way Home […] , Simon & Schuster, →ISBN, page 189 ↗:
        Willie Jones decided to become Kimani Jones, Black Panther, on the day his best friend, Otis Nicholson, stepped on a mine while walking point during a sweep in the central highlands.
      1. (by extension) An operational or public leadership position in a risky endeavor.
      2. Short for point man.
    7. Each of the main directions on a compass, usually considered to be 32 in number; a direction. [from 16th c.]
    8. (nautical) The difference between two points of the compass.
      to fall off a point
    9. Pointedness of speech or writing; a penetrating or decisive quality of expression. [from 17th c.]
      • 1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter IV, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y., London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC ↗:
        I told him about everything I could think of; and what I couldn't think of he did. He asked about six questions during my yarn, but every question had a point to it. At the end he bowed and thanked me once more. As a thanker he was main-truck high; I never see anybody so polite.
    10. (railroads, UK, in the plural) A railroad switch. [from 19th c.]
    11. A tine or snag of an antler.
    12. (heraldry) One of the "corners" of the escutcheon: the base (bottom center) unless a qualifier is added (point dexter, point dexter base, point sinister, point sinister base), generally when separately tinctured. (Compare terrace, point champaine, enté en point.)
    13. (heraldry, by extension) An ordinary similar to a pile (but sometimes shorter), extending upward from the base. (Often termed a point pointed.)
  4. The act of pointing.
    1. The act of pointing, as of the foot downward in certain dance positions.
    2. The gesture of extending the index finger in a direction in order to indicate something.
      • 2005, Marc Marschark, Patricia Elizabeth Spencer, Oxford handbook of deaf studies, language, and education:
        […] DCDP children are exposed to more points and gesturelike signs in their linguistic environment […]
    3. The attitude assumed by a pointer dog when he finds game.
      The dog came to a point.
    4. (falconry) The perpendicular rising of a hawk over the place where its prey has gone into cover.
    5. (fencing) A movement executed with the sabre or foil.
      tierce point
  5. (nautical) A short piece of cordage used in reefing sails.
  6. (historical) A string or lace used to tie together certain garments.
    • 1822 May 28, [Walter Scott], The Fortunes of Nigel. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), Edinburgh: […] [James Ballantyne and Co.] for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co., →OCLC ↗:
      pick your purse while they tie your points, and cut your throat while they smooth your pillow
  7. Lace worked by the needle.
    point de Venise; Brussels point
    • c. 1621–1623 (date written), Philip Massinger, The Maid of Honour. […], London: […] I[ohn] B[eale] for Robert Allot, […], published 1632, →OCLC ↗, Act V, scene i, signature [K4], recto ↗:
      And I to make all knovv, I am not ſhallovv, / VVill have my points of Cucchineale and yellovv.
    • 1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XXV, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume I, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC ↗, page 297 ↗:
      He wore a garb rather fanciful, of a silver-grey colour, trimmed with crimson, and a narrow edging of silver; the lace round his throat was of the finest point; […]
  8. In various sports, a position of a certain player, or, by extension, the player occupying that position.
    1. (cricket) A fielding position square of the wicket on the off side, between gully and cover. [from 19th c.]
    2. (lacrosse, ice hockey) The position of the player of each side who stands a short distance in front of the goalkeeper.
    3. (baseball) The position of the pitcher and catcher.
    4. (hunting) A spot to which a straight run is made; hence, a straight run from point to point; a cross-country run.
Synonyms Related terms Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations
  • French: point
  • Portuguese: pontinha, pontinho
Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Etymology 2

From Middle English pointen, poynten, from Old French pointier, pointer, poynter, from point from Latin pūnctum.

Verb

point (points, present participle pointing; simple past and past participle pointed)

  1. (intransitive) To extend the index finger in the direction of something in order to show where it is or to draw attention to it.
    It's rude to point at other people.
    • c. 1590–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Taming of the Shrew”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC ↗, [Act III, scene ii]:
      Now must the world point at poor Katharine.
    • 1693, Decimus Junius Juvenalis, John Dryden, transl., “[The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis.] (please specify the satire number)”, in The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis. Translated into English Verse. […] Together with the Satires of Aulus Persius Flaccus. […], London: Printed for Jacob Tonson […], →OCLC ↗:
      Point at the tattered coat and ragged shoe.
  2. (intransitive) To draw attention to something or indicate a direction.
    The arrow of a compass points north
    The skis were pointing uphill.
    The arrow on the map points towards the entrance
  3. (intransitive) To face in a particular direction.
  4. (transitive, sometimes, figurative) To direct toward an object; to aim.
    to point a gun at a wolf, or a cannon at a fort
    • 1853, Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons, Parliamentary Papers, volume 11, page 267:
      Mr. Fitzsimons pointed my attention to an outside car on which was written, "Take warning," or something of that kind, and he pointed that out to me, and drew my attention to it, as a thing likely to intimidate […]
  5. To give a point to; to sharpen; to cut, forge, grind, or file to an acute end.
    to point a dart, a pencil, or (figuratively) a moral
  6. (intransitive) To indicate a probability of something.
  7. (ambitransitive, masonry) To repair mortar.
  8. (transitive, masonry) To fill up and finish the joints of (a wall), by introducing additional cement or mortar, and bringing it to a smooth surface.
  9. (stone-cutting) To cut, as a surface, with a pointed tool.
  10. (transitive) To direct or encourage (someone) in a particular direction.
    If he asks for food, point him toward the refrigerator.
    • 1715–1720, Homer, translated by Alexander Pope, “(please specify the book of the Iliad or chapter quoted from)”, in The Iliad of Homer, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: […] W[illiam] Bowyer, for Bernard Lintott […], →OCLC ↗:
      Whosoever should be guided through his battles by Minerva, and pointed to every scene of them.
  11. (transitive, mathematics) To separate an integer from a decimal with a decimal point.
  12. (transitive) To mark with diacritics.
  13. (dated) To supply with punctuation marks; to punctuate.
    to point a composition
  14. (transitive, computing) To direct the central processing unit to seek information at a certain location in memory.
  15. (transitive, Internet) To direct requests sent to a domain name to the IP address corresponding to that domain name.
  16. (intransitive, nautical) To sail close to the wind.
    Bear off a little, we're pointing.
  17. (intransitive, hunting) To indicate the presence of game by a fixed and steady look, as certain hunting dogs do.
  18. (medicine, of an abscess) To approximate to the surface; to head.
  19. (dated) To give point to (something said or done); to give particular prominence or force to.
    • 1852 March – 1853 September, Charles Dickens, Bleak House, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1853, →OCLC ↗:
      He points it, however, by no deviation from his straightforward manner of speech.
    • 1924, EM Forster, A Passage to India, Penguin, published 2005, page 85:
      ‘Oh, it is the great defect in our Indian character!’ – and, as if to point his criticism, the lights of the Civil Station appeared on a rise to the right.
Translations Translations Translations Etymology 3

From Middle English pointen, poynten, by apheresis of apointen, appointen, appoynten.

Verb

point (points, present participle pointing; simple past and past participle pointed)

  1. (obsolete) To appoint.
    • 1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book I, Canto IX”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC ↗:
      And he, that points the Centinel his room,
      Doth license him depart at sound of morning Droom.
Point
Etymology 1

Short for West Point.

Proper noun
  1. (informal, military) USMA (United States Military Academy) in West Point, New York.
    • 2017, Charles King, Cadet Days:
      Study goes on until tattoo, which, when Pops was at the Point, was sounded at 9.30, followed by taps at 10.
Proper noun
  1. A twp in Posey County, Indiana, so-named for being the southernmost and westernmost point in the state.
  2. A twp in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.
  3. A minor city in Rains County, Texas.
  4. A coastal settlement in Feock, south-west (OS grid ref SW8138).
Etymology 3

Probably an altered form of French Pons.

Proper noun
  1. Surname.


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