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Antonyms for point


Grammar : Noun, verb
Spell : point
Phonetic Transcription : pɔɪnt



Definition of point

Origin :
  • c.1200, "minute amount, single item in a whole; sharp end of a sword, etc.," a merger of two words, both ultimately from Latin pungere "prick, pierce, puncture" (see pungent). The Latin neuter past participle punctum was used as a noun, meaning "small hole made by pricking," subsequently extended to anything that looked like one, hence, "dot, particle," etc. This yielded Old French point "dot; smallest amount," which was borrowed in Middle English by c.1300.
  • Meanwhile the Latin fem. past participle of pungere was puncta, which was used in Medieval Latin to mean "sharp tip," and became Old French pointe "point of a weapon, vanguard of an army," which also passed into English, early 14c.
  • The senses have merged in English, but remain distinct in French. Extended senses are from the notion of "minute, single, or separate items in an extended whole." Meaning "small mark, dot" in English is mid-14c. Meaning "distinguishing feature" is recorded from late 15c. Meaning "a unit of score in a game" is first recorded 1746. As a typeface unit (in Britain and U.S., one twelfth of a pica), it went into use in U.S. 1883. As a measure of weight for precious stones (one one-hundredth of a carat) it is recorded from 1931.
  • The point "the matter being discussed" is attested from late 14c.; meaning "sense, purpose, advantage" (usually in the negative, e.g. what's the point?) is first recorded 1903. Point of honor (1610s) translates French point d'honneur. Point of no return (1941) is originally aviators' term for the point in a flight "before which any engine failure requires an immediate turn around and return to the point of departure, and beyond which such return is no longer practical."
  • noun speck
  • noun specific location
  • noun sharp end, top, end of extension
  • noun circumstance, stage; limited time
  • noun goal, aim
  • noun meaning, essence
  • noun aspect, characteristic
  • noun scoring unit of sport competition
  • verb show as probable; call attention
  • verb direct, lead
Example sentences :
  • No shaft that Percival was able to fashion had point enough to pierce it.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • "I don't believe we shall quarrel on that point," said the widow, smiling.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • He tried to evade immediate payment, but on this point his creditor was peremptory.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • "I ordered the sun turned on at just this point," replied her husband, with a large air.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • From this point the progress will be best narrated by extracts from my Diary.
  • Extract from : « Explorations in Australia » by John Forrest
  • There was no water at Point Malcolm, but luckily we had filled our canteens.
  • Extract from : « Explorations in Australia » by John Forrest
  • I cannot find words to express my feelings on that point at all.
  • Extract from : « Explorations in Australia » by John Forrest
  • Still there were other and nearer roads to the point I aimed at.
  • Extract from : « Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327 » by Various
  • The bare reference to a single consideration will be conclusive on this point.
  • Extract from : « United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches » by Various
  • These only becloud, they do not help to point the way of safety and honor.
  • Extract from : « United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches » by Various

Synonyms for point

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019