all-points

The compound adjective 'all-points' is a modern formation built from two deeply rooted English words. 'All' descends from the Proto-Germanic allaz, carrying the enduring sense of totality. 'Point' traces back to the Latin punctum, the neuter past participle of pungere ("to prick"), which evolved to signify a precise location or detail. The logic of the compound is transparently literal: combining "entire" with "specific places" to create a meaning that encompasses every possible location or facet, most commonly seen in the official phrase "all-points bulletin" used in law enforcement to denote a broadcast to all units or locations.

Structure: all (entire) + points (specific places) - all: From Old English eall, meaning "entire, whole, every." It functions as a quantifier indicating completeness. - points: From Old French point, from Latin punctum ("a small hole, a point"), from pungere ("to prick"). It functions as a noun, here meaning specific locations or details.