dot
UK[dɒt]US[dɑːt]
n
A very small round mark
n
The spoken form of the symbol (.) used in internet and email addresses
v
To put a dot or dots on something
Etymology
The word 'dot' originates from the Old English 'dott', meaning the head of a boil or a speck. This likely stems from a West Germanic root, related to the Old High German 'tuota', meaning a nipple or a protuberance. The semantic journey moved from a small, distinct physical mark or lump to its modern, abstract sense of any tiny, round spot. The logic of its evolution is clear: a small, noticeable point on a surface, whether a literal mark or a symbolic one in writing and computing.
Analysis
The word 'dot' is a simplex word of Old English origin. It functions as a single, indivisible lexical unit.
Examples
She signed her name with a dot above the letter i.
The website address is www dot example dot com.
Dot the canvas with paint to create a pointillist effect.