n. A punty; a metal rod used in the glassblowing process. After a glass vessel has been blown to approximate size and the bottom of the piece has been finalized, the rod, which is tipped with a wad of hot glass, is attached to the bottom of the vessel to hold it while the top is finalized. It often leaves an irregular or ring-shaped scar on the base when removed called the "pontil mark".
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
n. Same as pontee.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
n. An iron rod used in glass-making for handling, and especially for revolving rapidly, the soft glass in the process of formation, especially in the making of crown-glass.
Word Usage
""You shall see, for here is a pot just opened, and this man with the long iron rod, called a pontil, or punty, in his hand, is about to skim it.""