Spot SPOT, n. [We see this word is of the family of spatter, and that
the radical sense is to throw or thrust. A spot is made by spattering
or sprinkling. 1. A mark on a substance made by foreign matter;
a speck; a blot; a place discolored. The least spot is visible on white
paper. 2. A stain on character or reputation; something that soils
purity; disgrace; reproach; fault; blemish. Yet Chloe sure was formd
without a spot. See 1 Pet 1:17, Eph 5:27. 3. A small extent of
space; a place; any particular place. The spot to which I point is
paradise. Fixd to one spot. So we say, a spot of ground, a spot
of grass or flowers; meaning a place of small extent. 4. A place of
a different color from the ground; as the spots of a leopard. 5. A
variety of the common domestic pigeon, so called from a spot on its head
just above its beak. 6. A dark place on the disk or face of the sun
or of a planet. 7. A lucid place in the heavens. Upon the spot,
immediately; before moving; without changing place. [So the French say,
sur le champ.] It was determined upon the spot. SPOT,
v.t. 1. To make a visible mark with some foreign matter; to discolor;
to stain; as, to spot a garment; to spot paper. 2. To patch by way of
ornament. 3. To stain; to blemish; to taint; to disgrace; to tarnish;
as reputation. My virgin life no spotted thoughts shall stain.
To stop timber, is to cut or chip it, in preparation for hewing.
spot
n 1: a point located with respect to surface features of some
region; "this is a nice place for a picnic"; "a bright spot
on a planet" [syn: topographic point, place, spot]
2: a short section or illustration (as between radio or tv
programs or in a magazine) that is often used for advertising
3: an outstanding characteristic; "his acting was one of the
high points of the movie" [syn: point, spot]
4: a blemish made by dirt; "he had a smudge on his cheek" [syn:
smudge, spot, blot, daub, smear, smirch, slur]
5: a small contrasting part of something; "a bald spot"; "a
leopard's spots"; "a patch of clouds"; "patches of thin ice";
"a fleck of red" [syn: spot, speckle, dapple, patch,
fleck, maculation]
6: a section of an entertainment that is assigned to a specific
performer or performance; "they changed his spot on the
program"
7: a business establishment for entertainment; "night spot"
8: a job in an organization; "he occupied a post in the
treasury" [syn: position, post, berth, office,
spot, billet, place, situation]
9: a slight attack of illness; "he has a touch of rheumatism"
[syn: touch, spot]
10: a small piece or quantity of something; "a spot of tea"; "a
bit of paper"; "a bit of lint"; "I gave him a bit of my
mind" [syn: spot, bit]
11: a mark on a die or on a playing card (shape depending on the
suit) [syn: spot, pip]
12: a lamp that produces a strong beam of light to illuminate a
restricted area; used to focus attention of a stage
performer [syn: spotlight, spot]
13: a playing card with a specified number of pips on it to
indicate its value; "an eight-spot"
14: an act that brings discredit to the person who does it; "he
made a huge blot on his copybook" [syn: blot, smear,
smirch, spot, stain]
v 1: catch sight of [syn: descry, spot, espy, spy]
2: detect with the senses; "The fleeing convicts were picked out
of the darkness by the watchful prison guards"; "I can't make
out the faces in this photograph" [syn: spot, recognize,
recognise, distinguish, discern, pick out, make
out}, tell apart]
3: mar or impair with a flaw; "her face was blemished" [syn:
blemish, spot]
4: make a spot or mark onto; "The wine spotted the tablecloth"
[syn: spot, fleck, blob, blot]
5: become spotted; "This dress spots quickly"
6: mark with a spot or spots so as to allow easy recognition;
"spot the areas that one should clearly identify"
spot I. nounEtymology: Middle English; akin to Middle Dutch spotte stain,
speck, Old Norse spotti small piece Date: 13th century 1.
a taint on character or reputation ;fault <the only spot
on the family name> 2.a. a small area visibly different (as in color, finish, or material)
from the surrounding area b.(1) an area marred or marked (as by dirt) (2)
a circumscribed surface lesion of disease (as measles) or decay
<spots of rot> <rust spots on
a leaf>
c. a conventionalized design used on playing cards to distinguish
the suits and indicate values 3. an object having a specified number
of spots or a specified numeral on its surface 4. a small quantity
or amount ;bit5.a. a particular place, area, or part b. a small extent
of space
6.plural usuallyspot a small croaker (Leiostomus
xanthurus) of the Atlantic coast with a black spot behind the opercula
7.a. a particular position (as in an organization or a hierarchy)
b. a place or appearance on an entertainment program
8.spotlight9. a position usually of difficulty or
embarrassment 10. a brief announcement or advertisement broadcast
between scheduled radio or television programs 11. a brief segment
or report on a broadcast especially of news
II. verb (spotted; spotting)
Date: 14th century transitive verb1. to stain the character or reputation of ;disgrace2. to mark in or with a spot ;stain3. to locate
or identify by a spot 4.a. to single out ;identify; especially to note
as a known criminal or a suspicious person b.detect, notice
<spot a mistake> c.(1) to locate accurately <spot an enemy position>
(2) to cause to strike accurately <spot the battery's
fire>
5.a. to lie at intervals in or over ;studb. to place at intervals or in a desired spot <spot field
telephones> c. to fix in or as if in the beam of a spotlight
d. to schedule in a particular spot or at a particular time
6. to remove a spot from 7. to allow as a handicap
intransitive verb1. to become stained or discolored
in spots 2. to cause a spot 3. to act as a spotter;
especially to locate targets 4. to experience abnormal
and sporadic bleeding in small amounts from the uterus
• spottableadjectiveIII. adjectiveDate: 1881 1.a. being, originating, or done on the spot or in or for a particular
spot <spot coverage of the news> b. available for
immediate delivery after sale <spot commodities> c.(1) paid out upon delivery <spot cash> (2)
involving immediate cash payment <a spot transaction>
d.(1) broadcast between scheduled programs <spot
announcements> (2) originating in a local station for a
national advertiser
e. performing occasionally when needed <chance of
making the…varsity as a spot starter and relief pitcher —
N. Y. Times> 2. made at random or restricted to a few
places or instances <a spot check>; also selected at
random or as a sample
spot n. & v. --n. 1 a a small part of the surface of a thing distinguished by colour, texture, etc., usu. round or less elongated than a streak or stripe (a blue tie with pink spots). b a
small mark or stain. c a pimple. d a small circle or other shape used in various numbers to distinguish faces of dice, playing-cards in a suit, etc. e a moral blemish or stain (without a spot on his
reputation). 2 a a particular place; a definite locality (dropped it on this precise spot; the spot where William III landed). b a place used for a particular activity (often in comb.: nightspot).
c (prec. by the) Football the place from which a penalty kick is taken. 3 a particular part of one's body or aspect of one's character. 4 a colloq. one's esp. regular position in an organization,
programme of events, etc. b a place or position in a performance or show (did the spot before the interval). 5 Brit. a colloq. a small quantity of anything (a spot of lunch; a spot of trouble). b
a drop (a spot of rain). c colloq. a drink. 6 = SPOTLIGHT. 7 (usu. attrib.) money paid or goods delivered immediately after a sale (spot cash; spot silver). 8 Billiards etc. a a small round
black patch to mark the position where a ball is placed at certain times. b (in full spot-ball) the white ball distinguished from the other by two black spots. --v. (spotted, spotting) 1 tr. a
colloq. single out beforehand (the winner of a race etc.). b colloq. recognize the identity, nationality, etc., of (spotted him at once as the murderer). c watch for and take note of (trains, talent,
etc.). d colloq. catch sight of. e Mil. locate (an enemy's position), esp. from the air. 2 a tr. & intr. mark or become marked with spots. b tr. stain, soil (a person's character etc.). 3
intr. make spots, rain slightly (it was spotting with rain). 4 tr. Billiards place (a ball) on a spot. Phrases and idioms: in a spot (or in a tight etc. spot) colloq. in difficulty.
on the spot 1 at the scene of an action or event. 2 colloq. in a position such that response or action is required. 3 without delay or change of place, then and there. 4 (of a person) wide
awake, equal to the situation, in good form at a game etc. put on the spot US sl. decide to murder. running on the spot raising the feet alternately as in running but without moving forwards or
backwards. spot check a test made on the spot or on a randomly-selected subject. spot height 1 the altitude of a point. 2 a figure on a map showing this. spot on Brit. colloq. adj.
precise; on target. --adv. precisely. spot weld a weld made in spot welding. spot-weld v.tr. join by spot welding. spot welder a person or device that spot-welds. spot welding welding two
surfaces together in a series of discrete points. Etymology: ME, perh. f. MDu. spotte, LG spot, ON spotti small piece
spot
(spots, spotting, spotted)Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1. Spots are small, round, coloured areas on a surface.
The leaves have yellow areas on the top and underneath are powdery orange spots...The swimsuit comes in navy with white spots or blue with green spots.N-COUNT: usu pl
2. Spots on a person's skin are small lumps or marks.
Never squeeze blackheads, spots or pimples.N-COUNT: usu pl
3. A spot of a liquid is a small amount of it. (mainly BRIT)
Spots of rain had begun to fall...N-COUNT: N of n
4. If you have a spot of something, you have a small amount of it. (mainly BRIT)
Mr Brooke is undoubtedly in a spot of bother...We've given all the club members tea, coffee and a spot of lunch.= bit
QUANT: QUANT of n-uncount
5. You can refer to a particular place as a spot.
They stayed at several of the island's top tourist spots...They all stood there staring, as if frozen to the spot.N-COUNT: usu supp N
6. A spot in a television or radio show is a part of it that is regularly reserved for
a particular performer or type of entertainment.
Unsuccessful at screen writing, he got a spot on a CNN film show.= slot
N-COUNT: usu with supp
7. If you spot something or someone, you notice them.
Vicenzo failed to spot the error...VERB: V nsee alsospotted, black spot, blind spot
8. If you are on the spot, you are at the actual place where something is happening.
...areas where troops are on the spot and protecting civilians...PHRASE: v-link PHR
9. If you do something on the spot, you do it immediately.
James was called to see the producer and got the job on the spot...PHRASE: PHR after v, PHR n
10. If you put someone on the spot, you cause them to have to answer a difficult
question or make a difficult decision.
He put me on the spot a bit because he invited me right in front of his mum and I didn't
particularly want to go...Even clever people are not terribly clever when put on the spot.PHRASE: V inflects
11.
rooted to the spot: seerooted
to have a soft spot for someone: seesoft
spot
spɔt n. & v. --n. 1 a a small part of the surface of a thing
distinguished by colour, texture, etc., usu. round or less elongated
than a streak or stripe (a blue tie with pink spots). b a small mark
or stain. c a pimple. d a small circle or other shape used in various
numbers to distinguish faces of dice, playing-cards in a suit, etc. e a
moral blemish or stain (without a spot on his reputation). 2 a a particular
place; a definite locality (dropped it on this precise spot; the spot where
William III landed). b a place used for a particular activity (often in comb.:
nightspot). c (prec. by the) Football the place from which a penalty kick is
taken. 3 a particular part of one's body or aspect of one's character. 4 a
colloq. one's esp. regular position in an organization, programme of events,
etc. b a place or position in a performance or show (did the spot before
the interval). 5 Brit. a colloq. a small quantity of anything (a spot of
lunch; a spot of trouble). b a drop (a spot of rain). c colloq. a drink. 6 =
SPOTLIGHT. 7 (usu. attrib.) money paid or goods delivered immediately after
a sale (spot cash; spot silver). 8 Billiards etc. a a small round black
patch to mark the position where a ball is placed at certain times. b
(in full spot-ball) the white ball distinguished from the other by two
black spots. --v. (spotted, spotting) 1 tr. a colloq. single out beforehand
(the winner of a race etc.). b colloq. recognize the identity, nationality,
etc., of (spotted him at once as the murderer). c watch for and take note of
(trains, talent, etc.). d colloq. catch sight of. e Mil. locate (an enemy's
position), esp. from the air. 2 a tr. & intr. mark or become marked with
spots. b tr. stain, soil (a person's character etc.). 3 intr. make spots,
rain slightly (it was spotting with rain). 4 tr. Billiards place (a ball)
on a spot. øin a spot (or in a tight etc. spot) colloq. in difficulty. on
the spot 1 at the scene of an action or event. 2 colloq. in a position such
that response or action is required. 3 without delay or change of place,
then and there. 4 (of a person) wide awake, equal to the situation, in good
form at a game etc. put on the spot US sl. decide to murder. running on the
spot raising the feet alternately as in running but without moving forwards
or backwards. spot check a test made on the spot or on a randomly-selected
subject. spot height 1 the altitude of a point. 2 a figure on a map showing
this. spot on Brit. colloq. adj. precise; on target. --adv. precisely. spot
weld a weld made in spot welding. spot-weld v.tr. join by spot welding. spot
welder a person or device that spot-welds. spot welding welding two surfaces
together in a series of discrete points. [ME, perh. f. MDu. spotte, LG spot,
ON spotti small piece]
Spot \Spot\, n. [Cf. Scot. & D. spat, Dan. spette, Sw. spott
spittle, slaver; from the root of E. spit. See Spit to
eject from the mouth, and cf. Spatter.]
1. A mark on a substance or body made by foreign matter; a
blot; a place discolored.
Out, damned spot! Out, I say! --Shak.
2. A stain on character or reputation; something that soils
purity; disgrace; reproach; fault; blemish.
Yet Chloe, sure, was formed without a spot. --Pope.
3. A small part of a different color from the main part, or
from the ground upon which it is; as, the spots of a
leopard; the spots on a playing card.
4. A small extent of space; a place; any particular place.
``Fixed to one spot.'' --Otway.
That spot to which I point is Paradise. --Milton.
``A jolly place,'' said he, ``in times of old! But
something ails it now: the spot is cursed.''
--Wordsworth.
5. (Zo["o]l.) A variety of the common domestic pigeon, so
called from a spot on its head just above its beak.
6. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A sci[ae]noid food fish ({Liostomus xanthurus}) of the
Atlantic coast of the United States. It has a black
spot behind the shoulders and fifteen oblique dark
bars on the sides. Called also goody, Lafayette,
masooka, and old wife.
(b) The southern redfish, or red horse, which has a spot
on each side at the base of the tail. See Redfish.
7. pl. Commodities, as merchandise and cotton, sold for
immediate delivery. [Broker's Cant]
Crescent spot (Zo["o]l.), any butterfly of the family
Melit[ae]id[ae] having crescent-shaped white spots along
the margins of the red or brown wings.
Spot lens (Microscopy), a condensing lens in which the
light is confined to an annular pencil by means of a
small, round diaphragm (the spot), and used in dark-field
ilumination; -- called also spotted lens.
Spot rump (Zo["o]l.), the Hudsonian godwit ({Limosa
h[ae]mastica}).
Spots on the sun. (Astron.) See Sun spot, ander Sun.
On, or Upon, the spot, immediately; before moving;
without changing place.
It was determined upon the spot. --Swift.
Syn: Stain; flaw; speck; blot; disgrace; reproach; fault;
blemish; place; site; locality.
Spot \Spot\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spotted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Spotting.]
1. To make visible marks upon with some foreign matter; to
discolor in or with spots; to stain; to cover with spots
or figures; as, to spot a garnment; to spot paper.
2. To mark or note so as to insure recognition; to recognize;
to detect; as, to spot a criminal. [Cant]
3. To stain; to blemish; to taint; to disgrace; to tarnish,
as reputation; to asperse.
My virgin life no spotted thoughts shall stain.
--Sir P.
Sidney.
If ever I shall close these eyes but once, May I
live spotted for my perjury. --Beau. & Fl.
To spot timber, to cut or chip it, in preparation for
hewing.
spot
spɔt n.
1 mark, patch, speck, blot, blotch, blemish, speckle, fleck, particle, mote, macula, smudge,
stain, stigma, discoloration, Brit splodge or US also splotch: There's a spot of ink on your shirt.
2 site, place, locale, location, locality, scene, setting, section, area, neighbourhood,
quarter: The Coopers picked out a lovely spot to build their new house.
3 morsel, bit, bite, Colloq smidgen or smidgin: Let's stop in here for a spot of tea.
4 predicament, situation, quandary, mess: John said he was in a bit of a spot, and needed
to borrow ø20 until the end of the week.
5 spots. eruptions, pimples, acne, pustules, blackheads, comedos or comedones, whiteheads;
boils, blains, wens; pock-marks; Old-fashioned US and Canadian hickeys: Teenagers often get
spots. --v.
6 see, catch sight of, glimpse, discern, identify, pick out, distinguish, single out,
detect, sight, recognize, make out, descry: I think I spotted Molly in the crowd.
7 mark, stain, fleck, speckle, spray, splash, spatter, bespatter, sully, soil, dirty,
taint, besmirch, smudge: The car's shiny new paintwork was spotted with mud.
On most web browsers you can double click any word on this page to see what definitions I have for that word.
This dictionary server is not an authoratative source of information for anything. Like almost everything at sorabji.com, I set this up for my own purposes. In this case the purpose is to
browse words and ideas at random. An automatically generated page that produces 1000 Random Words
is my gateway to this resource. I also attempt a word of the day project,
in which I attempt to write something about myself starting with interesting words that I find through the Wordswarm Random Words Pages. I have made
available the complete 1828 Webster's Dictionary, which many feel is the greatest English dictionary ever published.
Other random links of mine include the Sorabji.com Random Link, which sends you to one of
over 7,000 pages on my web sites; the Face Server produces random images of
human faces; clicking the Random WAYD link shows you a random posting to my "What Are You Doing?" board; the Random USPS
Mailbox link sends you to a page with information about a random mailbox; and the random pictures page page of sorabji.com shows one of over 11,000 random images any time you load the page. On an unrelated note, I have begun making several thousand pages of legal documents searchable.