- point⇄exclamation mark orpoint
a mark of punctuation used after a word, phrase, or sentence to show that it was exclaimed. (Example:) Hurrah! We are going to the circus. The exclamation mark is also used within parentheses, to suggest that some statement - point⇄expr. at the point of, in the act of; very near to.
Ex. at the point of leaving. - point⇄expr. beside the point, having nothing to do with the subject; not appropriate; irrelevant.
Ex. He did what the others wanted; his own wishes were beside the point to them. - point⇄expr. in point of, as regards.
Ex. States were too busy with their laws and too negligent in point of education (Alexander Hamilton). - point⇄expr. in point, pertinent; apt.
Ex. a case in point. - point⇄expr. make a point (of), to insist on; make a rule of.
Ex. He made a point of arriving on time. She made it a point to write home once a week. - point⇄expr. on the point of, just about (to do); on the verge of.
Ex. She was on the point of going out when a neighbor dropped in. - point⇄expr. point off, to mark off with points or dots.
Ex. To divide by 100 is done by only pointing off two figures for decimals (Charles Hutton). - point⇄expr. point out, to show or call attention to.
Ex. Please point out my mistakes. - point⇄expr. point up, to put emphasis on; call or give special attention to.
Ex. The report of the discussions points up the responsibility of teachers, school librarians, and all agencies ... to coordinate their efforts (Saturday Review). - point⇄expr. points, the extremities of an animal, such as the feet, ears, and tail.
Ex. That champion dog has many outstanding points. - point⇄expr. stretch (or strain) a point,
a. to exceed the reasonable limit; go further than one is entitled to go.
Ex. We've not quite so much proof as I could wish. It would be straining a point to arrest him, as it stands (G. A. Lawrence).point⇄expr. to the point, appropriate to the subject at hand; apt.
Ex. His speech was brief and to the point.point⇄interrogation mark orpoint,question mark.point⇄noun 1. a sharp end; something having a sharp end.
Ex. the point of a needle, a point of rock.
2a. a tiny round mark; dot.
Ex. A period is a point. Use a point to set off decimals. Commas and points they set exactly right (Alexander Popoint⇄point, noun, verb.point⇄v.i. 1. to indicate position or direction, or direct attention with, or as if with, the finger.
Ex. to point at a house.
2. to tend; aim.
3. to have a specified direction.
Ex. The signboard points north. The ship pointed east.point⇄v.t. 1. to sharpen.
Ex. Please point my pencil.
2a. to mark with dots; punctuate.
b. to indicate decimals.
c. to mark points in (as the writing of Semitic languages or shorthand).
3. (Figurative.) to give force to (speec