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dart

 - 5 dictionary results

dart

[dahrt]
–noun
1. a small, slender missile that is pointed at one end and usually feathered at the other and is propelled by hand, as in the game of darts, or by a blowgun when used as a weapon.
2. something similar in function to such a missile, as the stinging member of an insect.
3. darts, (used with a singular verb) a game in which darts are thrown at a target usually marked with concentric circles divided into segments and with a bull's-eye in the center.
4. an act of darting; a sudden swift movement.
5. a tapered seam of fabric for adjusting the fit of a garment.
–verb (used without object)
6. to move swiftly; spring or start suddenly and run swiftly: A mouse darted out of the closet and ran across the room.
–verb (used with object)
7. to thrust or move suddenly or rapidly: He darted his eyes around the room.

Origin:
1275–1325; ME < AF, OF < Old Low Franconian; cf. OE daroth, OHG tart, ON darrathr spear, lance


dart⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
dart⋅ing⋅ness, noun


1. arrow, barb. 6. dash, bolt, shoot.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To dart
dart   (därt)   
n.  
    1. A slender, pointed missile, often having tail fins, thrown by hand, shot from a blowgun, or expelled by an exploding bomb.

    2. An object likened to a slender, pointed missile either in shape, use, or effect.

  1. The stinger of an insect.

  2. darts (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Games A game in which small, slender, pointed missiles are thrown at a target.

  3. A sudden, rapid movement.

  4. A tapered tuck sewn to adjust the fit of a garment.

v.   dart·ed, dart·ing, darts

v.   intr.
To move suddenly and rapidly: The dog darted across the street.
v.   tr.
  1. To thrust or throw suddenly and rapidly.

  2. To cause to move swiftly and abruptly: The squirrel darted its head from side to side before scampering up the tree.

  3. To shoot (an animal) with a tranquilizing dart.


[Middle English, from Old French, of Germanic origin.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

dart 
c.1314, from O.Fr. dart, from P.Gmc. *darothuz, source of O.E. daroð. Verb meaning "to move like a dart" is attested from 1619.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Bible Dictionary

Dart

an instrument of war; a light spear. "Fiery darts" (Eph. 6:16) are so called in allusion to the habit of discharging darts from the bow while they are on fire or armed with some combustible material. Arrows are compared to lightning (Deut. 32:23, 42; Ps. 7:13; 120:4).

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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Abbreviations & Acronyms
DART
Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology
The American Heritage® Abbreviations Dictionary, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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