pointer

[ poin-ter ]

noun

1. a person or thing that points none.
2. a long, tapering stick used by teachers, lecturers, etc., in pointing things out on a map, blackboard, or the like.
3. the hand on a watch dial, clock face, scale, etc.
4. Military. the member of an artillery crew who aims the weapon.
5. one of a breed of short-haired hunting dogs trained to point game.
6. a piece of advice, especially on how to succeed in a specific area:

   The food expert gave some good pointers on making better salads.

   Synonyms: caution, suggestion, hint, tip

7. Computers.
   1. an identifier giving the location in storage of something of interest, as a data item, table, or subroutine.
   2. 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. cursor ( def 1 ).
8. 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.

pointer

/ ˈpɔɪntə /

noun

1. a person or thing that points
2. an indicator on a measuring instrument
3. a long rod or cane used by a lecturer to point to parts of a map, blackboard, etc
4. 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
5. a helpful piece of information or advice

Word History and Origins

Origin of pointer¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; point none + -er ¹none

Example Sentences

As Samaira hovered her mouse pointer over the command, the button disappeared.

From Washington Post

We’ve covered this in plenty of depth elsewhere, but it’s worth dropping some quick pointers here.

From Popular-Science

Take a look at the “comfort” section above for good pointers about exactly how your body should sit in relation to your office chair.

From Popular-Science

Over time, the communications have become more personal, ranging from her reflections on her summer vacation to pointers on well-being from SAP’s chief medical officer.

From Digiday

The National Audubon Society’s backyard birding guide has additional pointers.

From Washington Post

Therefore, it is not possible for any F-35 schedule to include a video data link  or infrared pointer at this point.

From The Daily Beast

Nor does the jet have the ability to capture high-definition video, utilize an infra-red pointer.

From The Daily Beast

Turn him belly-up and stroke him to sleep with your pointer finger.

From The Daily Beast

The Kentucky freshman sunk his third game-winning three-pointer in a row, launching fresh claims about his ‘clutch gene.’

From The Daily Beast

The camera crew took advantage of this and used a green laser pointer to entice the cheerleaders to move around the stadium.

From The Daily Beast

His long pointer was dancing a fanciful figure on the gigantic map of Russia.

From Project Gutenberg

He dropped a slender pointer upon the wire and engaged its grooved tip, and then the flying was out of his hands.

From Project Gutenberg

Roly had seen the pole and pointer used in New England, but the idea of sewing the hook inside of the bait-fish was a novel one.

From Project Gutenberg

The position of the contact B may be indicated on the scale by a slender pointer, attached to the handle controlling the arm L.

From Project Gutenberg

I had not learned to question any emotion, and introspection troubled me no more than it did my pointer dog.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• clue