Point

point, n. That which pricks or pierces; esp., the sharp end of a piercing instrument; a sort of needle used by engravers, etchers, lace-workers, etc. the mark made by the end of a sharp, piercing instrument; an indefinitely small space; mere spot; a small promontory, or cape; a moment; inetant; the verge: whatever serves to mark progre , or to indicate transition; degree condition rank a salient trait of character; characteristic; a distinct position, the or pa age, in argument or discourse the pith or gist of an expre ion or discu ion a lively turn of thought. (Geom.) That which has not length, breadth, nor thickne . A character used to mark divisions of a sentence, etc. anything aimed at or intended; object; end; a small affair; trifling concern; punctilio. (J/ms.) A dot or mark to designate certain tones or time; a dot at the right hand of a note, to raise value, or prolong its time, by one half. (Anc. Costume.) A tagged lace, used to tie together certain parts of the dre . (Want.) A tapering piece of braided cordage, used in reefing sails, pi. (Railroads.) In Eng., the switch of a railway track. — v. To give a point to, sharpen; to direct toward an object, aim; to direct attention toward; to mark (a sentence, etc.) with marks of punctuation; to punctuate; to indicate the point, aim, or purpose of; to indicate or discover (game) by a fixed look. (Masonry.) To the joints of with mortar, and smooth them with the point of a trowel, — v.i. To direct the finger for designating an object; to indicate the presence of game by a fixed and steady look; to show distinctly by any means; to the joints or crevices of a wall with mortar. [F. L. punctum, orig. neut. of p. p. of pungere, punctum, to prick compunction, tsjjunge, pounce, punch, puncheon.]— Poinfed, p. a. Sharp having a sharp point characterized by distinctne of meaning and pithine of expre ion keen severe epigrammatic direct. — Poinfedly, adv. — Pointle , a. Having no point wanting keenne blunt obtuse dull stupid. — Point 'or, n. Anything that points, — as, the hand of a time-piece; a variety of dog, trained to stop, and, with his nose, point e e t?S o??2 Pointer Dog. men (Astron.) one of the 2 stars in the Great Bear, the line between which points nearly to the North Star. — Point-blank'', n. (Mik) The point to which a projectile supposed to move directly, without a curve. — a. Aimed directly toward the mark; plain; expre . — adv. In a point-blank manner. Directly. [F. point blanc, the white spot in the center of archers' targets.]— Poign'ant, poin'ant, a. Stimulating to the organs of taste acutely painful piercing irritating sharp keen satirical bitter. [F. poignant, p. pr. of poindre, pungere, to prick, sting.] — Poign 'antly, adv. — Poign'ancy, -sY, n. State of being, etc. — Pun'gent, -jent 3. Pricking; piercing, — as, sharp, acrid, biting —;aid with reference to taste; stimulating, pricKing, — said of smell; sharply painful, acute, — said 01 pains, sensations, etc. exquisitely painful to the feelings, severe, — said of discourse. [L. pungens, p. pr, of pungere; same as poignant.] — Pun gently, adv. — Punirency, -sT, n. State of being, etc.— Puncfure, punk'chur, n. Act of perforating with a pointed instrument a small hole made by a point. — v. [punctured (-churd), -URING.] To pierce with a small, pointed instrument, prick. [L. punctura, a prick, orig. fern, of fut. part, of pungere.] — Pundate, -tat, -tated, a. Pointed; ending in a point or points. (Bot.) Having dots scattered over the surface. — Punctlial, punk'chual, a. Observant of nice points; punctilious; esp. adhering to the time of an appointment; prompt; occurring, made, or returning, at the appointed time exact; precise; strict; accurate. [F. ponctuel, L. punctum.] — Punctually, adv.— Punctuality, -l-tf n. Quality or state of being, etc. — Punctilio, -tiP*- yo, n. A nice point of exactne in conduct, ceremony, or proceeding. [Sp. puntillo, dim. of punto = L. punctum.]— Punctilious, -til'yus, a. Attentive to punctilio exact in forms of ceremony. — Punctiliously, adv. — Punctiliousne , n. — Punc'to, n. Nice point of form or ceremony the point in fen am, fame, far, pa or opera, fare end. POLE cing. punto, L. punctum.] — Puncfuate, punk'- chu-at, v. To separate into sentences, clauses, etc., by points, which mark the proper pauses. [F. punctuer, to distinguish by points, LL. punctuare, to determine, define.] — Punctua'tion, n. (Gram.) Act or art of punctuating or pointing a writing or discourse. [F.] — Punctlrist, -u-ist, n. One who understands the art of punctuation.