Definition of: point

(point) noun
1. The sharp end of a thing, particularly of anything that tapers so as to be very small and keen at the extremity: the point of a needle or a thorn.
2. plural The extremities of a horse.
3. An object, as a tool or instrument, having a sharp or tapering end, as a needle, etching tool, etc.
4. A tapering tract of land extending into water; a promontory; cape: Point Judith.
5. A prominent feature or peculiarity; typical attribute; salient quality; essential physical characteristic: the points of a thoroughbred horse.
6. That to which effort is directed, on which attention is fixed, or to which especial importance is attached; the precise subject of discussion; aim; gist; purport: the point of a story.
7. A particular place, location, or position.
8. A position considered as one of a series; a unit of fluctuation, as of count in a game: to gain a point.
9. A precise grade, limit, or degree attained or determined, especially in temperature.
10. A particular juncture in the course of events.
11. Any single item or particular; detail.
12. A vital step or division of an argument or discourse; a proposition; head: to note every point; to contest point by point.
13. In schools and colleges, a unit of credit equal to a certain number of hours of academic work.
14. An indivisible portion of time; a particular moment.
15. The moment when something is about or likely to be done or to take place; verge: on the point of starting; at the point of death.
16. Point lace.
17. A cord or strap by which a thing is fastened, as a rope for reefing sails.
18. In 16th and 17th century costume, a ribbon or string with an aglet on one end, used to fasten together two pieces of clothing.
19. A mark made by or as by the end of a pointed instrument or tool; a prick; puncture; dot.
20. Any mark of punctuation; especially, among printers, a period; stop; end.
21. Ling. A vowel point as used in Hebrew.
22. Music A dot or other mark to designate time, or formerly tone; also, a short tune or strain; also, such tune when played on an instrument as a signal.
23. A decimal point.
24. Point system (def. 5).
25. The attitude of a pointer or setter when it finds game: The dog came to a point.
26. In fencing, a thrust; also, in dancing, the act of pointing the foot downward.
27. A trifle; punctilio: a mere point.
28. In cricket, a fielder stationed the nearest to the right of the wicket and slightly in advance of it; also, the position thus occupied.
29. plural In baseball, the positions occupied by the pitcher and catcher.
30. The leading group of an advanced guard.
31. One of the 32 divisions of the compass. See POINT OF THE COMPASS.
32. That which is conceived to have position, but not parts or dimensions, as the extremity of a line.
33. A unit of variation in price of shares, stocks, etc., in the stock market; also, a rumor on which speculation is made; a tip.
34. A fixed place from which position and distance are reckoned.
35. A spot or place which is regarded as having position only, without extent, as a locality.
36. The tail of an animal: used in the phrase heads and points.
37. Electr. Any of a set of contacts determining the direction of current flow in a circuit. See synonyms under CIRCUMSTANCE, END, TOPIC.
—at (or on, upon) the point of On the verge of.
—beside the point Irrelevant.
—in point Pertinent.
—in point of In the matter of; as regards.
—to make a point of To treat as vital or essential.
—to see the point To understand the purpose of a course of action; get the important meaning of a story, joke, etc.
—to stretch a point To make an exception.
—to the point Relevant.
—v.t.
1. To direct or aim, as a fìnger or weapon.
2. To indicate; direct attention to: often with out: to point the way; to point out errors.
3. To give force or point to, as a meaning or remark: often with up.
4. To shape or sharpen to a point.
5. To punctuate, as writing.
6. To mark or separate with points, as decimal fractions: with off.
7. In hunting, to indicate the presence or location of (game) by standing rigid and directing the muzzle toward it: said of dogs.
8. In masonry, to fill and finish the joints of (brickwork) with mortar.
9. Ling. To mark with a vowel point.
—v.i.
10. To call attention or indicate direction by or as by extending the finger: usually with at or to.
11. To direct the mind: Everything points to your being wrong.
12. To be directed; have a specified direction; tend; face: with to or toward.
13. To point game: said of hunting dogs.
14. Med. To come to a head, as an abscess.
15. Naut. To sail close to the wind. See synonyms under ALLUDE. [Fusion of OF pointe a sharp point (<Med. L puncta <L punctus) + OF point prick, dot, moment <L punctum, neut. of punctus, pp. of pungere prick]