point

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a geometric element that has position but no extension

   a point is defined by its coordinates

2. 2
   noun

   the object of an activity

   what is the point of discussing it?

3. 3
   noun

   sharp end of an object

   I stuck the point of the knife into a tree and began to carve my lover's name.

4. 4
   noun

   the gun muzzle's direction

   I was held up at the point of a gun.

5. 5
   noun

   an outstanding characteristic

   Your acting was one of the high points of the movie.

6. 6
   noun

   a distinguishing or individuating characteristic

   I know my bad points as well as my good points.

7. 7
   noun

   a brief version of the essential meaning of something

   get to the point

8. 8
   noun

   a V-shaped mark at one end of an arrow pointer

   the point of the arrow was due north

Etymology

From Middle English poynt, from Old French point m (“dot; minute amount”), from Latin pūnctum (“a hole punched in; a point, puncture”), substantive use of pūnctus m, perfect passive participle of pungō (“to prick, punch”); alternatively, from Old French pointe f (“sharp tip”), from Latin pūncta f (past participle), all from Proto-Italic *pungō (“to sting, prick”). Mostly displaced native Middle English ord (“point”), from Old English ord (“point”). Doublet of pointe, ponto, puncto, punctum, punt, and punto.