point
UK[pɔɪnt]US[pɔɪnt]
n
A single, particular idea, fact, or part of an argument or discussion.
n
A particular time, stage, or level in a process or development.
n
The sharp, thin end of something.
n
A particular place or position.
n
A unit used for scoring in games or measuring value, quality, or temperature.
v
To show where something is or to direct attention towards something using a finger or object.
v
To face or be directed in a particular direction.
Etymology
The word 'point' entered English in the 13th century from Old French 'point', meaning a dot, a small mark, or a moment in time. The Old French term itself stemmed from the Latin verb 'pungere', meaning 'to prick, pierce, or sting'. This Latin root is also the source of words like 'puncture', 'pungent', and 'punctuate'. The core semantic journey is from the physical act of piercing, which creates a tiny, precise mark, to the abstract modern meanings of a specific detail, location, moment, or unit of measurement. The logic connects the sharpness and precision of a puncture to the definiteness of an idea or position.
Analysis
The word 'point' is a simplex word derived from a single, indivisible Latin root via Old French. Its modern spelling and sound do not allow for segmentation into distinct, meaningful morphemes in contemporary English.
Examples
She made an interesting point about the environmental impact.
The boiling point of water is 100 degrees Celsius.
He pointed to the map to show us the route.