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| point [ poynt ] |
noun (plural points) |
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| Definition: |
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1. opinion, idea, or fact: an opinion, idea, or fact put forward in the course of or forming a main element of a discussion or argument
  She made many valid points in her report.
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2. underlying essential idea: the essential idea conveyed or intended in something that is said or written
He seems to have missed the point entirely.
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3. purpose: the purpose or usefulness of something
Is there really any point in continuing?
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4. item in list or plan: an item or detail in something such as a plan, contract, or list
a four-point plan to revive the coal industry
a point-by-point examination of the contract
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5. convincing argument or viewpoint: a cogent or persuasive argument or observation
You have to admit that she has a point there.
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6. quality or feature: a distinguishing quality, feature, or item in the makeup of somebody or something
Generosity is one of her good points.
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7. physical feature of livestock animal: an external feature that is assessed when judging the overall shape of a livestock animal, e.g. the face or fetlock
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8. location: a specific place or position
a point six miles east of here
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9. moment: an individual moment in time
At that point, the door opened and the teacher walked in.
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10. particular stage in process: a particular moment or stage in a process, especially one at which a significant change or development occurs or a condition is reached
We have reached the point at which a decision will have to be made.
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11. level or degree: a level or degree of a quality
He was confident to the point of almost being arrogant.
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12. time just before something happens: the moment or period of time just before something happens
at the point of death
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13. sharp end of something: the sharp narrowed end of something such as a needle, pencil, or weapon
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14. end or tip: the end or tip of something such as a finger or the projecting angle of something such as the elbow or chin
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15. small projection: a small sharp or perceptible projection, e.g. in a piece of writing in Braille
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16. act of pointing: the act of pointing, e.g. with a finger
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17. dot: a small dot or source of something such as color or light
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18. unit on scale: a single unit on a scale of measurement
The earthquake measured 6 points on the Richter scale.
opened up a 10-point lead over her opponent in the polls
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19. sports leisure unit used in scoring: a unit used in scoring a sport, game, or competition, or as a means of making a quantitative evaluation of something
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20. music tip of bow: the tip of the bow of a stringed instrument.
See also heel1 (sense 10)
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21. zoology antler prong: a prong on a deer's antlers
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22. geography headland: a prominent headland on the coast that juts out into the sea, often the projecting tip of a peninsula
(
often used in place names
)
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23. mathematics decimal point: the dot separating the whole number and fraction in a decimal number. The term "point" is used particularly when such numbers are spoken aloud.
five point nine
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24. mathematics dimensionless geometric element: a dimensionless geometric element whose location in space is defined solely by its coordinates. Geometric figures such as circles, planes, or spheres can be treated as if they are sets of points.
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25. grammar printing punctuation mark: in printing or writing, a punctuation mark, especially a period
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26. phonetics
Same as vowel point
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27. stock exchange investment price unit: a unit used to measure change in the value of an investment, e.g. on a stock exchange
The market is up 5 points.
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28. U.S. finance percentage of loan: an amount equivalent to one per cent of the value of a loan, used to calculate the sum that the borrower pays to the lender as a service charge
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29. U.S. law penalty unit for motorist: a penalty unit given for a driving offense recorded on somebody's driving record. Receiving a set number of points leads automatically to a penalty.
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30. U.S. education unit of credit for student: a unit of academic credit for a student that is equivalent to one hour of class work per week over a period of one semester
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31. U.S. education grading unit: a unit, equivalent to a letter grade, that is used to assess a student's academic performance. Four is the highest grade.
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32. bridge unit of winning potential: a unit used in assessing the strength of a hand in bridge
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33. printing measurements printing unit of measurement: a unit of measurement in printing equal to one twelfth of a pica or approximately 0.03515 cm (0.01384 in)
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34. measurements diamond weight unit: a unit of weight for a diamond equivalent to one hundredth of a metric carat
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35. compass mark on compass: one of the 32 direction indicators marked on a compass, e.g. west, west by north, west-northwest, or northwest
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36. compass angle between adjacent bearings: the angle between any two adjacent bearings marked on a compass, measuring 11° 15′
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37. military unit ahead of formation: a person or unit that moves ahead of a larger formation, acting as a scout and advance guard
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38. military advance military position: the position ahead of a larger formation taken by a person or unit acting as point
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39. basketball offensive position: in basketball, the position in front court taken by the guard who directs the offensive
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40. heraldry division of heraldic shield: a position on or division of a heraldic shield in which a charge can be placed
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plural noun points |
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| Definition: |
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1. automotive electrical contacts in distributor: the two electrical contacts that act as circuit breakers in the distributor of an internal-combustion engine as current is passed in turn to the cylinders
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2. zoology extremities of domestic animal: the ears, feet, and tail of a domestic animal
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verb (past and past participle point·ed, present participle point·ing, 3rd person present singular points) |
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| Definition: |
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1. intransitive verb indicate with extended finger: to extend the finger or a long thin object in the direction of something in order to draw attention to it
I pointed to one of the shrubs and asked its cost.
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2. transitive verb aim at something: to hold an object so that its end is aimed at somebody or something
pointed the hose at the flowers
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3. intransitive verb be turned in particular direction: to be turned toward or aimed in a particular direction
The arrow on the signpost was pointing to the right.
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4. transitive verb direct somebody toward something: to indicate the direction in which somebody should go
If you can just point me in the right direction I should be able to find it.
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5. transitive and intransitive verb comput aim mouse or joystick: to move a mouse, joystick, or other device so that the cursor on a computer screen is positioned over or touching something
Point at the icon, then double click on it.
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6. intransitive verb suggest something is case: to be strong evidence of something or lead the mind to believe or conclude something
It all points to one conclusion.
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7. intransitive verb call attention to something: to call attention to a fact or situation as being important
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8. transitive verb give force to remark: to give additional force, emphasis, or incisiveness to something said or written
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9. transitive verb sharpen something: to sharpen something so that it has a point at the end
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10. transitive verb stretch foot downward: especially in ballet, to stretch out the foot or toes so that leg and foot make one comparatively straight line
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11. transitive verb construction repair something with mortar: to repair or finish a wall, chimney, or other structural component by putting mortar or cement between the bricks or stones
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12. transitive and intransitive verb sailing sail boat close to wind: to sail or sail a boat close to the wind
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13. transitive and intransitive verb hunting point muzzle at game: to perform the characteristic function of a hunting dog by standing still with muzzle and tail outstretched, indicating the whereabouts of game
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14. transitive verb music mark psalm for chanting: to mark a psalm to indicate how it is to be chanted
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15. transitive verb phonetics add marks over letters: to place diacritics or vowel points over the relevant letters in a text
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16. transitive verb grammar punctuate text: to put punctuation marks into a text
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17. intransitive verb medicine come to head: to reach the stage of spontaneous rupture or surgical opening, allowing pus to drain
(
refers to boils and abscesses
)
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| [13th century. Via French< Latin punctum "prick-mark, dot, particle" < past participle of Latin pungere "prick, pierce"] |
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a sore point a cause of annoyance
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be on the point of doing something to be just about to do something
I was just on the point of leaving.
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beside the point irrelevant or unimportant
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in point of fact used, often when correcting something said before, to emphasize that what is now being stated represents the truth
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make a point of doing something to be careful to do something and, often, to be seen by others to do it
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not to put too fine a point on it used to indicate that somebody is being frank or blunt about something
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stretch a point
1. to make an exception to a rule
2. to exaggerate
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stretch the point to exaggerate
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to the point relevant or worth paying attention to
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(up) to a point to some extent, but not completely
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