spot
Pronunciation: (spot), [key]
— n., v., adj. spot•ted, spot•ting,
—n.
- a rounded mark or stain made by foreign matter, as mud, blood, paint, ink, etc.; a blot or speck.
- something that mars one's character or reputation; blemish; flaw.
- a small blemish, mole, or lesion on the skin or other surface.
- a small, circumscribed mark caused by disease, allergic reaction, decay, etc.
- a comparatively small, usually roundish, part of a surface differing from the rest in color, texture, character, etc.: a bald spot.
- a place or locality: A monument marks the spot where Washington slept.
- Usually,places of entertainment or sightseeing interest: We went to a few spots to dance and see the floor shows.
- See
- a specific position in a sequence or hierarchy: The choral group has the second spot on the program, right after the dancers. He moved up from second spot to become president of the firm.
- He drew a jack, a queen, and a three spot.
- one of various traditional, geometric drawings of a club, diamond, heart, or spade on a playing card for indicating suit and value.
- any playing card from a two through a ten:He drew a jack, a queen, and a three spot.
- a pip, as on dice or dominoes.
- a piece of paper money, almost always indicated as a five- or ten-dollar bill: Can you loan me a five spot until payday?
- Also calleda small drawing, usually black and white, appearing within or accompanying a text.
- a spot of tea.
- a small quantity of anything.
- a drink:a spot of tea.
- a small croaker, Leiostomus xanthurus, of the eastern coast of the U.S., used as a food fish.
- commodities, as grain, wool, and soybeans, sold for immediate delivery.
- See
- spotlight (def. 1).
- to deal with or include only the major points of interest: With but a limited amount of vacation time, he concentrated on hitting the high spots of Europe.
- to satisfy a want or need, as to quench thirst: Iced tea hits the spot during the hot summer months.
- in an uncomfortable or dangerous predicament: The tourists found themselves in a bad spot after they lost their money in Las Vegas.
- to outdo easily; beat.
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- without delay; at once; instantly.
- at the very place in question.
- in a difficult or embarrassing position.
- in a position of being expected to act or to respond in some way.
—v.t.
- to stain or mark with spots: The grease spotted my dress.
- to remove a spot or spots from (clothing), esp. before dry cleaning.
- to sully; blemish.
- to mark or diversify with spots or dots, as of color: We spotted the wall with blue paint.
- to detect or recognize; locate or identify by seeing: to spot a hiding child.
- to place or position on a particular place: to spot a billiard ball.
- to stop (a railroad car) at the exact place required.
- to scatter in various places: to spot chairs here and there in the room.
- spotlight (def. 5).
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- to determine (a location) precisely on either the ground or a map.
- to observe (the results of gunfire at or near a target) for the purpose of correcting aim.
- to remove spots from (a negative or print) by covering with opaque color.
- to give or grant a certain margin or advantage to (an opponent): He spotted the tyro 12 points a game. The champion won, although spotting the challenger twenty pounds.
- (in gymnastics) to watch or assist (a performer) in order to prevent injury.
- to lend: Can you spot me twenty for tonight's game?
—v.i.
- to make a spot; cause a stain: Ink spots badly.
- to become spotted, as some fabrics when spattered with water.
- to serve or act as a spotter.
—adj.
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- pertaining to the point of origin of a local broadcast.
- broadcast between announced programs.
- made, paid, delivered, etc., at once: a spot sale; spot goods.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.