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; fault

4.

a) a locality; place [a good fishing spot]

b) any small area or space

5. short for SPOTLIGHT

6. a small, edible, silvery, marine drum fish (Leiostomus xanthurus) of the W Atlantic with a black spot behind the gill cover

7. [Informal, Chiefly Brit.] a small quantity; bit [a spot of tea]

8. Informal position; situation; job

9. Informal position or place in a schedule or listing

10. Informal a spot advertisement or announcement

11. 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, spotting

1. to mark with spots

2. to sully; stain; blemish

3. to mark for future consideration

4.

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 listing

5. to be located at various places in or on

6. to shine a spotlight on

7. to remove (individual spots, marks, etc.) as in dry cleaning

8.

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 crew

9. 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 spots

2. 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 sports

adj.

1.

a) that can be paid out or delivered immediately; ready [spot cash]

b) involving immediate payment of cash

c) involving cash transactions only

2. 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]

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change one's spots

Informal to alter one's fundamental or distinguishing beliefs, behavior, etc.

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☆ hit the high spots

Informal to treat only the main points of a topic, as in a cursory discussion

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hit the spot

Informal to satisfy a craving or need

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☆ in a bad spot or in a spot

Slang in a bad situation; in trouble

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on the spot

1. on or at the place mentioned

2. at once; immediately

☆ 3. Slang in trouble or difficulty

4. Slang in a position where something, as a reply, is expected of one

☆ 5. Slang in danger, esp. in danger of death by murder