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What (who) is Point - definition
WIKIMEDIA DISAMBIGUATION PAGE
Mathematical point; Points; Point (disambiguation); P.O.I.N.T.; Point (unit)
point
1. <unit, text> (Sometimes abbreviated "pt") The unit of
length used in typography to specify text character height,
rule width, and other small measurements.
There are six slightly different definitions: Truchet point,
Didot point, ATA point, TeX point, Postscript point,
and IN point.
In Europe, the most commonly used is Didot and in the US, the
formerly standard ATA point has essentially been replaced by
the PostScript point due to the demise of traditional
typesetting systems and rise of desktop computer based systems
running software such as QuarkXPress, Adobe InDesign and
Adobe Pagemaker.
There are 20 twips in a point and 12 points in a pica
(known as a "Cicero" in the Didot system).
{Different point systems
(http://vakcer.com/oberon/dtp/fonts/point.htm) }.
(2004-12-23)
2. <hardware> To move a pointing device so that the
on-screen pointer is positioned over a certain object on the
screen such as a button in a graphical user interface. In
most window systems it is then necessary to click a
(physical) button on the pointing device to activate or select
the object. In some systems, just pointing to an object is
known as "mouse-over" event which may cause some help text
(called a "tool tip" in Windows) to be displayed.
(2001-05-21)
point
(points, pointing, pointed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
You use point to refer to something that someone has said or written.
We disagree with every point Mr Blunkett makes...
The following tale will clearly illustrate this point.
N-COUNT
2.
If you say that someone has a point, or if you take their point, you mean that you accept that what they have said is important and should be considered.
'If he'd already killed once, surely he'd have killed Sarah?' She had a point there...
N-SING: a N, poss N
3.
The point of what you are saying or discussing is the most important part that provides a reason or explanation for the rest.
'Did I ask you to talk to me?'-'That's not the point.'...
The American Congress and media mostly missed the point about all this.
N-SING: the N
4.
If you ask what the point of something is, or say that there is no point in it, you are indicating that a particular action has no purpose or would not be useful.
What was the point of thinking about him?...
There was no point in staying any longer.
N-SING: usu N of/in n/-ing
5.
A point is a detail, aspect, or quality of something or someone.
The most interesting point about the village was its religion...
Science was never my strong point at school.
N-COUNT: usu with supp
6.
A point is a particular place or position where something happens.
The pain originated from a point in his right thigh.
N-COUNT
7.
You use point to refer to a particular time, or to a particular stage in the development of something.
We're all going to die at some point...
At this point Diana arrived...
It got to the point where he had to leave.
N-SING: with supp, oft at N
8.
The point of something such as a pin, needle, or knife is the thin, sharp end of it.
N-COUNT: oft N of n
9.
In spoken English, you use point to refer to the dot or mark in a decimal number that separates the whole numbers from the fractions.
Inflation at nine point four percent is the worst for eight years.
10.
In some sports, competitions, and games, a point is one of the single marks that are added together to give the total score.
They lost the 1977 World Cup final to Australia by a single point...
N-COUNT
11.
The points of the compass are directions such as North, South, East, and West.
Sightseers arrived from all points of the compass.
N-COUNT: usu with supp
12.
On a railway track, the points are the levers and rails at a place where two tracks join or separate. The points enable a train to move from one track to another. (BRIT; in AM, use switches
)
)
...the rattle of the wheels across the points.
N-PLURAL
13.
A point is an electric socket. (BRIT)
...too far away from the nearest electrical point.
N-COUNT: usu supp N
14.
If you point at a person or thing, you hold out your finger towards them in order to make someone notice them.
I pointed at the boy sitting nearest me...
He pointed to a chair, signalling for her to sit.
VERB: V at n, V to n
15.
If you point something at someone, you aim the tip or end of it towards them.
David Khan pointed his finger at Mary...
A man pointed a gun at them and pulled the trigger.
VERB: V n at n, V n at n
16.
If something points to a place or points in a particular direction, it shows where that place is or it faces in that direction.
An arrow pointed to the toilets...
You can go anywhere and still the compass points north or south...
VERB: V prep/adv, V prep/adv
17.
If something points to a particular situation, it suggests that the situation exists or is likely to occur.
Private polls and embassy reports pointed to a no vote.
VERB: V to n
18.
If you point to something that has happened or that is happening, you are using it as proof that a particular situation exists.
George Fodor points to other weaknesses in the way the campaign has progressed...
VERB: V to n
19.
When builders point a wall, they put a substance such as cement into the gaps between the bricks or stones in order to make the wall stronger and seal it.
VERB: V n
20.
see also pointed
, breaking point
, focal point
, point of sale
, point of view
, power point
, sticking point
, vantage point
, breaking point
, focal point
, point of sale
, point of view
, power point
, sticking point
, vantage point
21.
If you say that something is beside the point, you mean that it is not relevant to the subject that you are discussing.
Brian didn't like it, but that was beside the point.
= irrelevant
PHRASE: v-link PHR
22.
When someone comes to the point or gets to the point, they start talking about the thing that is most important to them.
Was she ever going to get to the point?
PHRASE: V inflects
23.
If you make your point or prove your point, you prove that something is true, either by arguing about it or by your actions or behaviour.
I think you've made your point, dear...
The tie-break proved the point.
PHRASE: V inflects
24.
If you make a point of doing something, you do it in a very deliberate or obvious way.
She made a point of spending as much time as possible away from Osborne House.
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR -ing
25.
If you are on the point of doing something, you are about to do it.
He was on the point of saying something when the phone rang...
She looked on the point of tears.
PHRASE: v-link PHR n/-ing
26.
Something that is to the point is relevant to the subject that you are discussing, or expressed neatly without wasting words or time.
The description which he had been given was brief and to the point.
PHRASE: v-link PHR
27.
If you say that something is true up to a point, you mean that it is partly but not completely true.
'Was she good?'-'Mmm. Up to a point.'
PHRASE: PHR with cl
28.
point
[p??nt]
¦ noun
1. the tapered, sharp end of a tool, weapon, or other object.
Archaeology a pointed flake or blade.
Ballet another term for pointe.
Boxing the tip of a person's chin as a spot for a blow.
the prong of a deer's antler.
2. a dot or other punctuation mark, in particular a full stop.
a decimal point.
a dot or small stroke used in Semitic languages to indicate vowels or distinguish particular consonants.
a very small dot or mark on a surface.
3. a particular spot, place, or moment.
(the point of) the verge or brink of.
(in geometry) something having position but not spatial extent, magnitude, dimension, or direction.
4. a single item or detail in an extended discussion, list, or text.
an argument or idea.
the significant or essential element: come to the point.
[usu. with negative or in questions] advantage or purpose.
(often in phrs beside/off/to the point) relevance.
a distinctive feature or characteristic, typically a good one.
5. (in sports and games) a mark or unit of scoring awarded for success or performance.
a unit used in measuring value, achievement, or extent.
(in piquet) the longest suit in a player's hand, containing a specified number of up to eight cards.
a unit of weight (2 mg) for diamonds.
6. each of thirty-two directions marked at equal distances round a compass.
the angular interval between two successive points of a compass, i.e. one eighth of a right angle (11° 15?).
7. a narrow piece of land jutting out into the sea.
8. (usu. points) Brit. a junction of two railway lines, with a pair of linked tapering rails that can be moved laterally to allow a train to pass from one line to the other.
9. Printing a unit of measurement for type sizes and spacing (in the UK and US 0.351 mm, in Europe 0.376 mm).
10. Brit. a socket in a wall for connecting a device to an electrical supply or communications network: a power point.
11. each of a set of electrical contacts in the distributor of a motor vehicle.
12. Cricket a fielding position on the off side near the batsman.
Ice Hockey either of two areas to the left and right of the net.
13. a small leading party of an advanced guard of troops.
chiefly N. Amer. the position at the head of a column or wedge of troops.
14. the extremities of a horse or cat, such as the face, paws, and tail of a Siamese cat.
15. Hunting a spot to which a straight run is made.
a run of this type.
the action or position of a dog in pointing.
16. historical a tagged piece of ribbon or cord used for lacing a garment or attaching a hose to a doublet.
17. a short piece of cord at the lower edge of a sail for tying up a reef.
18. Music an important phrase or subject, especially in a contrapuntal composition.
¦ verb
1. (often point at/to) direct someone's attention in a particular direction by extending one's finger.
(point something out) make someone aware of a fact or circumstance.
face in or indicate a particular direction.
2. direct or aim (something).
(often point to) cite or function as evidence.
(point something up) reveal the true nature or importance of something.
3. chiefly Ballet extend (the toes or feet) by tensing the foot and ankle so as to form a point.
4. fill in or repair the joints of (brickwork or masonry) with smoothly finished mortar or cement.
5. give a sharp, tapered point to.
6. (of a dog) indicate the presence of (game) by acting as pointer.
7. insert points in (written text of Semitic languages).
mark (Psalms) with signs for chanting.
Phrases
beside (or off) the point irrelevant.
a case in point an instance or example that illustrates what is being discussed.
make a point of make a special and noticeable effort to do something.
point the finger openly accuse someone or apportion blame.
the point of no return the point in a journey or enterprise at which it becomes essential to continue to the end.
point of sailing a sailing boat's heading in relation to the wind.
score points deliberately make oneself appear superior to someone else by making clever remarks.
take someone's point chiefly Brit. accept the validity of someone's idea or argument.
up to a point to some extent but not completely.
Origin
ME: the noun partly from OFr. point, from L. punctum 'something that is pricked'; partly from OFr. pointe, from L. puncta 'pricking'; the verb is from OFr. pointer.
Examples of use of Point
1. "The evidence establishes reasonable doubt, point after point after point," Serrano‘s attorney J.
2. The Treasury responded with point–by–point answers.
3. Hiro‘s point–by–point rebuttal of Powell‘s allegations is masterly.
4. Without it, what was the point, what was the point?
5. A basis point is one–hundredth of a percentage point.