n. The sharp end of something, as of a thorn, pin, needle, knife, sword, etc.n. That which tapers to or has a sharp end; a tapering thing with a sharp apexn. In etching, an engraving tool consisting of a metallic point, a sewing-needle or a medium embroidery-needle, or a rat-tail file ground to an evenly rounded tapering point, not too sharp if intended for use on an etching-ground, but much more trenchant if it is to be employed in dry-point on the bare copper.n. In printing, a projecting pin on a press for marking the register by perforating the papern. A small diamond or fragment of a diamond used for cutting glass.n. A punch used by stone-masons to form narrow ridges in the face of a stone which is to be afterward dressed down.n. A wedge-shaped chisel for nigging ashlern. A triangular piece of zinc for holding glass in the sash before the putty is put in.n. plural In railroading, the switches or movable guiding-rails at junctions or stations.n. A branch of a deer's antler. See antler.n. In backgammon, one of the narrow tapering spaces on which the men are placedn. plural Spurs or stout needles suitably fastened in a flat board, on which printed sheets are placed by passing the needles through the point-holes; this is done to insure the exact cutting of printed sheets that have uneven margins. Knight, Bookbinding.n. A salient or projecting part; a part of an object projecting abruptly from it, as a peak or promontory from the land or coast.n. A salient feature or physical peculiarity: especially, a feature which determines the excellence of an animal; characteristic; trait.n. The salient feature of a story, discourse, epigram, or remark; that part or feature of a saying, etc., which gives it application; the directly effective part; hence, the possession of such a feature; force or expression generally: as, he failed to see the point of the joke; his action gave point to his words.n. The precise question or matter in dispute or under consideration; the principal thing to be attended to; the main difficulty to be met or obviated: as, these are side issues—let us come to the point.n. An indivisible part of an argument, narrative, or account; a particular; a detail; an item. See at all points and in point of, below.n. Particular end, aim, purpose, or concern; object desired: as, to gain one's point.n. Case; condition; situation; state: plight.n. A deed or feat; an exploit.n. A mark made by the end of a sharp instrument, such as a pin, needle, pen, etc.; a dot or other sign to mark separation, to measure from, etc.n. Hence— A stop; a conclusion; a period.n. A diacritical mark, indicating a vowel, or other modification of sound: especially in Hebrew, Arabic, etc.n. A dot used in writing numbers— inserted after the units' place to show where the decimals begin (specifically called a decimal point); or placed over a repeating decimal, or over the first and last figures of a circulating decimal : thus, ; or used to separate a series of figures representing a number into periods of a certain number of figures eachn. In musical notation, a dot affixed to a note, either after it, to increase its time-value (see dot), or above or below it, as a sign of a staccato effect (see staccato).n. A speck or spot; a jot; a trace; hence, figuratively, a very small quantity.n. An object having position but not extension.n. In astronomy, a certain place marked in the heavens, or distinguished for its importance in astronomical calculations: as, vertical points (the zenith and the nadir); equinoctial points; solstitial points.n. In perspective, any definitive position with reference to the perspective plane: as, point of sight; vanishing-pointn. That which has position in time, but no definite continuance; an instant of time.n. Precise limit or degree; especially, the precise degree of temperature: as, the boiling-point of water.n. A small unit of measurement. n. Naut, an angular unit, one eighth of a right angle, or 11¼, being the angle between adjacent points of the compass (see compass, n., 7): as, to bring the ship up half a point.n. A unit of fluctuation of price per share or other standard of reference on the exchanges, etc.n. A unit of count in a game (compare def. 19); hence, an advantage in any struggle: as, I have gained a point.n. In piquet, the number of cards in the longest suit of a hand: as, what is your point? Six.n. In lace-making, needle-points lace: as, Alencon point; Dresden point; a collar of point. See cut under lace.n. A lace with tags at the end.n. A fastening resembling a tagged lacing.n. In fencing, a stab or puncture with the point of a sword; a blow with the button of the foil when properly directed: as, he can give me three points in ten (i. e., he can make ten hits or points on me while I make seven on him).n. In heraldry: One of the nine recognized positions on the shield which denote the locality of figures or charges.n. The middle part of either the chief or the base as distinguished from the dexter and sinister cantonsn. A bearing which occupies the base of the escutcheon.n. A division of the field barwise: thus, three points gules, argent, and azure, means that the field is divided into three horizontal stripes, of which the uppermost is red, the middle one silver, etc.n. Ordinance; law; act.n. A slur; an indignity.n. The action or attitude of a dog in pointing game: as, he comes to a point well.n. In games: In cricket, a fielder who stands at a short distance to the right of the batsman, and slightly in front of him. See diagram under cricket.n. In lacrosse, a player Who stands a short distance in front of the goal, and whose duty is to prevent the ball from passing through the goaln. plural In base-ball, the position occupied by the pitcher.n. A thing to be pointed at, or the mere act of pointing; especially, a flitch of bacon or the like, which is not eaten, but only pointed at as a pretense for seasoning: as, to dine on potatoes and point (that is, on nothing but potatoes): a jocular expression in vogue in Ireland.n. A particular signal given, as by the blast of a trumpet or the beat of a drum; hence, a note; a call.n. In music, the entrance of a voice or an instrument with an important theme or motive.n. In astrology See cardinal.n. In optics six points on the axis of a lens or system of lenses, including two focal points, which are the foci for parallel rays; two nodal points, so situated that an incident ray through one emerges in a parallel direction through the other; two principal points—those points on the axis through which the so-called principal planes pass: these planes are parallel to the axis, and so situated that the line joining the points in which an incident ray meets the first and the corresponding emergent ray meets the second is parallel to the axis; under certain conditions the principal points may coincide with the nodal points.n. in good case or condition. Sec def. 9.n. Applicable; apposite; appropriate; exactly fitting the case.n. Lace having a bride ground, as opposed to that having a réseau ground.n. A much smaller solid or mat surface, square or oblong, used to diversify the net ground of certain lacesn. In heraldry, a point in the escutcheon immediately above the center: also called the heart.n. Applicationlace in which such pillow-made flowers are applied to a net ground. See application-lace and Brussels lace (both under lace).n. To give a valuable or advantageous hint, indication, or piece of information to : as, he can give us points on that subject.n. To make a particular desired impression; “score.”Made with the needle: said of lace. Compare needle-point.To prick with a pointed instrument; pierce.To supply or adorn with points. See point, n., 19.To mark with characters for the purpose of separating the members of a sentence and indicating the pauses; punctuate: as, to point a written composition.To direct toward an object; aim: as, to point a gun; to point the finger of scorn at one.To direct the observation or attention of. Whosoever should be guided through his battles by Minerva, and pointed to every scene of them, would see nothing but subjects of surprise.To indicate; show; make manifest: often with out.To indicate the purpose or point of.