Phonetics. a diacritic indicating a vowel or other modification of sound.
12.
one of the embossed dots used in certain systems of writing and printing for the blind.
13.
something that has position but not extension, as the intersection of two lines.
14.
a place of which the position alone is considered; spot: We're leaving for Chicago and points west.
15.
any definite position, as in a scale, course, etc.: the boiling point.
16.
(in acupuncture) a particular spot on the body at which a needle may be inserted, as to relieve pain.
17.
Navigation. any of 32 separate horizontal directions, 11° 15' apart, as indicated on the card of a compass or gauged with reference to the heading of a vessel.
a degree or stage: frankness to the point of insult.
20.
a particular instant of time: It was at that point that I told him he'd said enough.
21.
a critical position in a course of affairs: Morale had reached a low point.
22.
a decisive state of circumstances: He reached the point where he could no longer pay his debts.
23.
the important or essential thing: the point of the matter.
24.
the salient feature of a story, epigram, joke, etc.: to miss the point.
25.
a particular aim, end, or purpose: He carried his point.
26.
a hint or suggestion: points on getting a job.
27.
a single or separate article or item, as in an extended whole; a detail or particular: the fine points of a contract.
28.
an individual part or element of something: noble points in her character.
29.
a distinguishing mark or quality, esp. one of an animal, used as a standard in stockbreeding, judging, etc.
30.
points,
a.
the extremities of an animal, esp. a horse or dog.
b.
Railroads,British. a switch.
31.
a single unit, as in counting.
32.
a unit of count in the score of a game: Our team won by five points.
33.
(in craps) the number that must be thrown to win but not including 7 or 11 on the first roll: Your point is 4.
34.
Ice Hockey. either of two positions, to the right or left of the goal, to which an attacking defenseman is assigned, usually in the execution of a power play, to help keep the puck in the attacking zone.
35.
Basketball. a position in the front court, usually taken by the guard in charge of setting up the team's offense.
36.
Cricket.
a.
the position of the fielder who plays a short distance in front of and to the offside of the batsman.
b.
the fielder playing this position.
37.
Chiefly Boxing. the end or tip (of the chin).
38.
Hunting.
a.
the action of a hunting dog that indicates the presence and location of game by standing rigid and directing its head toward the game.
b.
the position taken by a hunting dog in pointing game.
39.
a branch of an antler of a deer: an eight-point buck.
40.
Sports. a cross-country run.
41.
one of the narrow tapering spaces marked on a backgammon board.
42.
Education. a single credit, usually corresponding to an hour's class work per week for one semester.
43.
Electricity.
a.
Also called breaker point.either of a pair of contacts tipped with tungsten or platinum that make or break current flow in a distributor, as in an automobile.
b.
British. an outlet or socket.
44.
Commerce.
a.
a unit of price quotation, as in the U.S., one dollar in stock transactions, one hundredth of a cent in cotton and coffee, or one cent in oil, grain, pork, etc.: The price of stock went up two points today.
b.
(esp. in motion pictures) a percentage point, usually of the gross profits, granted to someone who agrees to invest or otherwise participate in a business project: The star of the movie recieved a million dollar guarantee and five points.
45.
one percent of the face value of a loan, esp. a mortgage loan, added on as a placement fee or a service charge and paid in advance or upon closing of the loan.
46.
Jewelry. a unit of weight equal to 1/100of a carat.
47.
Military.
a.
a patrol or reconnaissance unit that goes ahead of the advance party of an advance guard, or follows the rear party of the rear guard.
b.
the stroke in bayonet drill or combat.
48.
Printing.
a.
a unit of type measurement equal to 0.013835 inch (1/72inch), or 1/12pica. Compare Didot point system.
b.
Also called press-point.(in a press) one of several metal prongs for perforating the sheet so that it will be in register when the reverse is printed.
49.
a unit of measure of paper or card thickness, equal to 0.001 inch.
to direct (the finger, a weapon, the attention, etc.) at, to, or upon something.
62.
to indicate the presence or position of (usually fol. by out): to point out an object in the sky.
63.
to direct attention to (usually fol. by out): to point out the advantages of a proposal.
64.
to furnish with a point or points; sharpen: to point a lead pencil.
65.
to mark with one or more points, dots, or the like.
66.
Sculpture. to transfer measurements of depth from a clay, wax, or plaster model to (a block of stone) by means of an apparatus that drills holes to the required depth prior to carving.
67.
to punctuate, as writing.
68.
Phonetics. to mark (letters) with points.
69.
to separate (figures) by dots or points (usually fol. by off).
70.
to give greater or added force to (often fol. by up): to point up the necessity for caution.
71.
Hunting. (of a hunting dog) to indicate the presence and location of (game) by standing rigid and facing toward the game.
72.
Masonry.
a.
to fill the joints of (brickwork, stonework, etc.) with mortar or cement treated in various ways with tools after application.
b.
to dress the surface of (a stone) with a pointed tool.
73.
to dress (a stone) with a point.
74.
Metalworking.
a.
to narrow the end of (a rod) for passing through the dies of a drawbench.
b.
to narrow the end of (a tube) over the head of a pin that is gripped to pull the tube through the dies of a drawbench.
–verb (used without object)
75.
to indicate position or direction, as with the finger.
76.
to direct the mind or thought in some direction; call attention to: Everything points to his guilt.
77.
to aim.
78.
to have a tendency toward something: Economic conditions point to further inflation.
79.
to have a specified direction: The sign pointed west.
80.
to face in a particular direction, as a building.
81.
Hunting. (of a hunting dog) to point game.
82.
Nautical. to sail close to the wind.
83.
(of an abscess) to come to a head.
—Idioms
84.
at, on, or upon the point of, on the verge of; close to: on the point of death.
85.
at this point in time, now; at this precise moment in history: At this point in time the President believes peace has been achieved.
86.
in point, that is pertinent; applicable: a case in point.
87.
in point of, as regards; in reference to: in point of fact.
88.
make a point of, to regard as important; insist upon: She made a point of complimenting her friend's apartment.
89.
make points with, Informal. to curry favor with: to make points with one's boss. Also, make Brownie points with.
90.
strain or stretch a point, to depart from the usual procedure or rule because of special circumstances; make a concession or exception: Though the position required three years of previous experience, and he had only two, they stretched a point because of his outstanding record.
91.
to the point, pertinent; fitting: The reply was short and to the point.
[Origin: 1175–1225; (n.) ME point(e); partly < OF point dot, mark, place, moment < L pūnctum, n. use of neut. ptp. of pungere to prick, stab (cf. pungent); partly < OF pointe sharp end < ML pūncta, n. use of L: fem. of ptp. of pungere; (v.) ME pointen; partly deriv. of the n., partly < MF pointer, deriv. of pointe (n.)]
A reconnaissance or patrol unit that moves ahead of an advance party or guard, or that follows a rear guard.
The position occupied by such a unit or guard: A team of Rangers were walking point at the outset of the operation.
An electrical contact, especially one in the distributor of an automobile engine.
Chiefly British An electrical socket or outlet.
A movable rail, tapered at the end, such as that used in a railroad switch.
The vertex of the angle created by the intersection of rails in a frog or switch.
A specific moment in time: At this point, we are ready to proceed.
An objective or purpose to be reached or achieved, or one that is worth reaching or achieving: What is the point of discussing this issue further?
The major idea or essential part of a concept or narrative: You have missed the whole point of the novel.
A significant, outstanding, or effective idea, argument, or suggestion: Your point is well taken.
A separate, distinguishing item or element; a detail: Diplomacy is certainly not one of his strong points. Your weak point is your constant need for approval.
A quality or characteristic that is important or distinctive, especially a standard characteristic used to judge an animal.
A single unit, as in counting, rating, or measuring.
A unit of academic credit usually equal to one hour of class work per week during one semester.
A numerical unit of academic achievement equal to a letter grade.
A unit equal to one dollar, used to quote or state variations in the current prices of stocks or commodities.
A unit equal to one percent, used to quote or state interest rates or shares in gross profits.
The act or an instance of pointing.
The stiff and attentive stance taken by a hunting dog.
A reconnaissance or patrol unit that moves ahead of an advance party or guard, or that follows a rear guard.
The position occupied by such a unit or guard: A team of Rangers were walking point at the outset of the operation.
An electrical contact, especially one in the distributor of an automobile engine.
Chiefly British An electrical socket or outlet.
A movable rail, tapered at the end, such as that used in a railroad switch.
The vertex of the angle created by the intersection of rails in a frog or switch.
A reconnaissance or patrol unit that moves ahead of an advance party or guard, or that follows a rear guard.
The position occupied by such a unit or guard: A team of Rangers were walking point at the outset of the operation.
An electrical contact, especially one in the distributor of an automobile engine.
Chiefly British An electrical socket or outlet.
A movable rail, tapered at the end, such as that used in a railroad switch.
The vertex of the angle created by the intersection of rails in a frog or switch.
Sports Either of two positions in ice hockey just inside the offensive zone near the boards, usually assumed by defenders attempting to keep the puck in the offensive zone.
Basketball A position in the forecourt beyond the top of the key, usually taken by the point guard.
An electrical contact, especially one in the distributor of an automobile engine.
Chiefly British An electrical socket or outlet.
A movable rail, tapered at the end, such as that used in a railroad switch.
The vertex of the angle created by the intersection of rails in a frog or switch.
points The extremities of an animal, such as a horse or dog.
A movable rail, tapered at the end, such as that used in a railroad switch.
The vertex of the angle created by the intersection of rails in a frog or switch.
A ribbon or cord with a metal tag at the end, used to fasten clothing in the 16th and 17th centuries.
v.
point·ed, point·ing, points
v.
tr.
To direct or aim: point a weapon. See Synonyms at aim.
To bring (something) to notice: pointed out an error in their reasoning.
To indicate the position or direction of: pointed out the oldest buildings on the skyline.
To sharpen (a pencil, for example); provide with a point.
To separate with decimal points: pointing off the hundredths place in a column of figures.
To mark (text) with points; punctuate.
Linguistics To mark (a consonant) with a vowel point.
To give emphasis to; stress: comments that simply point up flawed reasoning.
To indicate the presence and position of (game) by standing immobile and directing the muzzle toward it. Used of a hunting dog.
To fill and finish the joints of (masonry) with cement or mortar.
v.
intr.
To direct attention or indicate position with or as if with the finger.
To turn the mind or thought in a particular direction or to a particular conclusion: All indications point to an early spring.
To be turned or faced in a given direction; aim.
To indicate the presence and position of game. Used of a hunting dog.
Nautical To sail close to the wind.
[Middle English, partly from Old French point, prick, mark, moment (from Vulgar Latin *punctum, from Latin pūnctum, from neuter past participle of pungere, to prick) and partly from Old French pointe, sharp end (from Vulgar Latin *puncta, from Latin pūncta, from feminine past participle of pungere, to prick; see peuk- in Indo-European roots).]
a movable section of rails which allow a train to cross over other lines or pass from one line to another Example: The points had to be changed before the train could continue.
Arabic:
مِحْوال خطوط سِكَّة الحَديد
Chinese (Simplified):
（铁路的）道叉
Chinese (Traditional):
(鐵路的)道叉
Czech:
výhybky
Danish:
skiftespor
Dutch:
wissel
Estonian:
pöörmesuled
Finnish:
vaihde
French:
aiguillage
German:
die Weichen (pl.)
Greek:
κλειδιά σιδηροδρομικών γραμμών
Hungarian:
váltó
Icelandic:
skiptispor
Indonesian:
wesel
Italian:
scambio
Japanese:
ポイント
Latvian:
pārmija
Lithuanian:
ieðmas
Norwegian:
sporveksel, pens
Polish:
zwrotnica
Portuguese (Brazil):
agulha
Portuguese (Portugal):
agulhas
Romanian:
macaz
Russian:
стрелка
Slovak:
výhybky
Slovenian:
kretnice
Spanish:
agujas
Swedish:
växel
Turkish:
demiryolu makası
points2noun plural
the solid tips in the toes of ballet shoes Example: She can dance on her points.
pointAudio Help (point) Pronunciation Key
A geometric object having no dimensions and no property other than its location. The intersection of two lines is a point.
Five Points, AL (town, FIPS 26200) Location: 33.01707 N, 85.35126 W Population (1990): 200 (76 housing units) Area: 2.7 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water) Zip code(s): 36855
Five Points, TN Zip code(s): 38457
Seven Points, TX (city, FIPS 66908) Location: 32.32559 N, 96.21483 W Population (1990): 723 (477 housing units) Area: 6.4 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water) Zip code(s): 75143
Five Points, FL (CDP, FIPS 22475) Location: 30.22266 N, 82.64402 W Population (1990): 1136 (468 housing units) Area: 6.9 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Five Points, OH (CDP, FIPS 27303) Location: 39.56157 N, 84.19715 W Population (1990): 1554 (510 housing units) Area: 7.6 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Three Points, AZ (CDP, FIPS 73700) Location: 32.06752 N, 111.27841 W Population (1990): 2175 (875 housing units) Area: 126.1 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
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Audio Help [point] Pronunciation Key 
