25. (Fencing) A movement executed with the saber or foil; as, tierce
point.
The word point is a general term, much used in the sciences,
particularly in mathematics, mechanics, perspective, and physics, but
generally either in the geometrical sense, or in that of degree, or
condition of change, and with some accompanying descriptive or
qualifying term, under which, in the vocabulary, the specific uses are
explained; as, boiling point, carbon point, dry point, freezing point,
melting point, vanishing point, etc.
At all points, in every particular, completely; perfectly. Shak. -- At
point, In point, At, In, or On, the point, as near as can be; on the
verge; about (see About, prep., 6); as, at the point of death; he was
on the point of speaking. "In point to fall down." Chaucer. "Caius
Sidius Geta, at point to have been taken, recovered himself so
valiantly as brought day on his side." Milton. -- Dead point. (Mach.)
Same as Dead center, under Dead. -- Far point (Med.), in ophthalmology,
the farthest point at which objects are seen distinctly. In normal eyes
the nearest point at which objects are seen distinctly; either with the
two eyes together (binocular near point), or with each eye separately
(monocular near point). -- Nine points of the law, all but the tenth
point; the greater weight of authority. -- On the point. See At point,
above. -- Point lace, lace wrought with the needle, as distinguished
from that made on the pillow. -- Point net, a machine-made lace
imitating a kind of Brussels lace (Brussels ground). -- Point of
concurrence (Geom.), a point common to two lines, but not a point of
tangency or of intersection, as, for instance, that in which a cycloid
meets its base. -- Point of contrary flexure, a point at which a curve
changes its direction of curvature, or at which its convexity and
concavity change sides. -- Point of order, in parliamentary practice, a
question of order or propriety under the rules. -- Point of sight
(Persp.), in a perspective drawing, the point assumed as that occupied
by the eye of the spectator. -- Point of view, the relative position
from which anything is seen or any subject is considered. -- Points of
the compass (Naut.), the thirty-two points of division of the compass
card in the mariner's compass; the corresponding points by which the
circle of the horizon is supposed to be divided, of which the four
marking the directions of east, west, north, and south, are called
cardinal points, and the rest are named from their respective
directions, as N. by E., N. N. E., N. E. by N., N. E., etc. See Illust.
under Compass. -- Point paper, paper pricked through so as to form a
stencil for transferring a design. -- Point system of type. See under
Type. -- Singular point (Geom.), a point of a curve which possesses
some property not possessed by points in general on the curve, as a
cusp, a point of inflection, a node, etc. -- To carry one's point, to
accomplish one's object, as in a controversy. -- To make a point of, to
attach special importance to. -- To make, or gain, a point, accomplish
that which was proposed; also, to make advance by a step, grade, or
position. -- To mark, or score, a point, as in billiards, cricket,
etc., to note down, or to make, a successful hit, run, etc. -- To
strain a point, to go beyond the proper limit or rule; to stretch one's
authority or conscience. -- Vowel point, in Hebrew, and certain other
Eastern and ancient languages, a mark placed above or below the
consonant, or attached to it, representing the vowel, or vocal sound,
which precedes or follows the consonant.
Point (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pointed; p. pr. & vb. n. Pointing.] [Cf.
F. pointer. See Point, n.] 1. To give a point to; to sharpen; to cut,
forge, grind, or file to an acute end; as, to point a dart, or a
pencil. Used also figuratively; as, to point a moral.
2. To direct toward an abject; to aim; as, to point a gun at a wolf, or
a cannon at a fort.