- spot
- spot [spät]n.[ME < or akin to MDu spotte, akin to ON spotti, small piece (of ground)]1. a small area of different color or texture from the main area of which it is a part; often, a mark made by some foreign matter; stain, blot, speck, patch, etc.2.a) any of the pips used on playing cards, dice, etc.b) a playing card having (a specified number of) pips [the ten spot of spades]3. a flaw or defect, as in character or reputation; something blameworthy; fault4.a) a locality; place [a good fishing spot]b) any small area or space5. short for SPOTLIGHT6. a small, edible, silvery, marine drum fish (Leiostomus xanthurus) of the W Atlantic with a black spot behind the gill cover7. [Informal, Chiefly Brit.] a small quantity; bit [a spot of tea]8. Informal position; situation; job9. Informal position or place in a schedule or listing10. Informal a spot advertisement or announcement11. Informal the advantage or handicap given an opponent☆ 12. Slang a nightclub☆ 13. Slang a piece of paper money of a specified value [a ten spot]vt.spotted, spotting1. to mark with spots2. to sully; stain; blemish3. to mark for future consideration4.a) to place in or on a given spot or spots; locate [to spot men at strategic points]b) Informal to put in a spot in a schedule or listing5. to be located at various places in or on6. to shine a spotlight on7. to remove (individual spots, marks, etc.) as in dry cleaning8.a) to pick out; detect; see; recognize [to spot someone in a crowd]b) to determine the location of (a target, the enemy, etc.)c) to correct the accuracy of (gunfire) for a gun crew9. to observe and report on (plays) as a spotter in sports☆ 10. Informal to allow as an advantage or handicap [to spot an opponent points]vi.1. to become marked with spots2. to cause a spot or spots; make a stain, as ink, water, etc.3. to act as a spotter, esp. for a gun crew or in sportsadj.1.a) that can be paid out or delivered immediately; ready [spot cash]b) involving immediate payment of cashc) involving cash transactions only2. made at random or according to an arbitrary sampling procedure [a spot survey]3. inserted between regular radio or television programs [a spot advertisement or announcement]——————change one's spotsInformal to alter one's fundamental or distinguishing beliefs, behavior, etc.——————☆ hit the high spotsInformal to treat only the main points of a topic, as in a cursory discussion——————hit the spotInformal to satisfy a craving or need——————☆ in a bad spot or in a spotSlang in a bad situation; in trouble——————on the spot1. on or at the place mentioned2. at once; immediately☆ 3. Slang in trouble or difficulty4. Slang in a position where something, as a reply, is expected of one☆ 5. Slang in danger, esp. in danger of death by murder
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.