pointer

[ poin-ter ]

/ ˈpɔɪn tər /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR pointer ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person or thing that points.

a long, tapering stick used by teachers, lecturers, etc., in pointing things out on a map, blackboard, or the like.

the hand on a watch dial, clock face, scale, etc.

Military. the member of an artillery crew who aims the weapon.

one of a breed of short-haired hunting dogs trained to point game.

a piece of advice, especially on how to succeed in a specific area: The food expert gave some good pointers on making better salads.

Computers.

an identifier giving the location in storage of something of interest, as a data item, table, or subroutine.
a moveable icon in a graphical user interface, as an arrow, that marks the user’s location in the interface relative to areas of the screen where user input is possible.See also cursor (def. 1).

Pointers, Astronomy. the two outer stars of the Big Dipper that lie on a line that passes very near Polaris and are used for finding it.

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What does “vacillate” mean?

to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute.

to cause to be empty or unoccupied.

to assent tacitly; agree; consent.

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Origin of pointer

First recorded in 1490–1500; point + -er¹

SYNONYMS FOR pointer

6 tip, hint, suggestion, caution.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR pointer ON THESAURUS.COM

Words nearby pointer

pointed arch, pointed wart, pointel, Pointe-Noire, point epidemic, pointer, Pointers, point estimate, point estimation, point group, point guard

Example sentences from the Web for pointer

Turn him belly-up and stroke him to sleep with your pointer finger.
Aubrey Plaza’s Great Disconnect|Aubrey Plaza|August 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Pointer Brand, a 100-year-old American farmwear staple, has recently become popular among international trendsetting men.
Farmwear Label, Pointer Brand, Hits High Fashion Note|Misty White Sidell|April 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Pointer, founded in Bristol, Tennessee, by Landon Clayton King, was never intended to draw fashionable chatter.
Farmwear Label, Pointer Brand, Hits High Fashion Note|Misty White Sidell|April 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In Europe, Pointer is stocked in stores with names like Americana and Yankee Doodle.
Farmwear Label, Pointer Brand, Hits High Fashion Note|Misty White Sidell|April 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST

When Tony takes over Danny's body, his voice begins to croak and he shakes his pointer finger for emphasis.
Imaginary Friends in Movies|Marlow Stern|May 5, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Before our little party had taken six steps into the room, Zoe stood like a pointer; and Fanny backed.
The Woman-Hater|Charles Reade
The degree of screw thrust was indicated in pounds by the pointer g.
Artificial and Natural Flight|Hiram S. Maxim
The hand or pointer on a peculiar dial was moving violently to and fro.
Through Space to Mars|Roy Rockwood
The man then goes away inflated with the idea that he has a pointer from Mr. Gould which will materially affect values.
Nye and Riley's Wit and Humor (Poems and Yarns)|Bill Nye
The wary scout lifted his head, sniffing into the darkness like a pointer dog.
Keith of the Border|Randall Parrish

British Dictionary definitions for pointer

pointer

/ (ˈpɔɪntə) /

noun

a person or thing that points

an indicator on a measuring instrument

a long rod or cane used by a lecturer to point to parts of a map, blackboard, etc

one of a breed of large swift smooth-coated dogs, usually white with black, liver, or lemon markings: when on shooting expeditions it points to the bird with its nose, body, and tail in a straight line

a helpful piece of information or advice

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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pointer

noun

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Origin of pointer

SYNONYMS FOR pointer

Words nearby pointer

Example sentences from the Web for pointer

British Dictionary definitions for pointer

noun

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

pointer

noun

QUIZZES

DON’T VACILLATE! VANQUISH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

Origin of pointer

SYNONYMS FOR pointer

Words nearby pointer

Words related to pointer

Example sentences from the Web for pointer

British Dictionary definitions for pointer

noun