spot

noun

1》 a small round or roundish mark, differing in colour or texture from the surface around it.

    ↘chiefly N. Amer. a pip on a domino, playing card, or dice.

    ↘short for penalty spot.

2》 a pimple.

3》 a particular place, point, or position.

    ↘a small feature or part with a particular quality: his bald spot.

    ↘a place for an individual item within a show.

4》 informal, chiefly Brit. a small amount of something: a spot of lunch.

5》 [as modifier] denoting a system of trading in which commodities or currencies are delivered and paid for immediately after a sale.

6》 (also spot board) a board for working plaster before application.

7》 [in combination] informal, chiefly N. Amer. a banknote of a specified value.

verb (spots, spotting, spotted)

1》 see, notice, or recognize (someone or something difficult to detect or sought-after).

    ↘Military locate an enemy's position, typically from the air.

    ↘(in weight training, gymnastics, etc.) observe (a performer) in order to minimize the risk of accidents or injuries.

2》 mark or become marked with spots.

3》 (it spots, it is spotting, etc.) rain slightly.

4》 place (a ball) on its designated starting point on a billiard table.

5》 N. Amer. informal give or lend (money) to.

    ↘allow (an advantage) to (someone) in a game or sport.

Phrases

hit the spot informal be exactly what is required.

in a spot informal in a difficult situation.

on the spot

1》 immediately.

2》 at the scene of an action or event.

3》 Brit. (of an action) performed without moving from one's original position.

put someone on the spot informal force someone into a situation in which they must respond or act.

spot on Brit. informal completely accurate or accurately.

Derivatives

spotted adjective

spottedness noun

Origin

ME: perh. from MDu. spotte.