Spot (?), n. [Cf. Scot. & D. spat, Dan. spette, Sw. spott spittle, slaver; from the root of E. spit. See Spit to eject from the mouth, and cf. Spatter.]
1.
A mark on a substance or body made by foreign matter; a blot; a place discolored.
Out, damned spot! Out, I say!
Shak.
2.
A stain on character or reputation; something that soils purity; disgrace; reproach; fault; blemish.
Yet Chloe, sure, was formed without a spot.
Pope.
3.
A small part of a different color from the main part, or from the ground upon which it is; as, the spots of a leopard; the spots on a playing card.
4.
A small extent of space; a place; any particular place. "Fixed to one spot." Otway.
That spot to which I point is Paradise.
Milton.
"A jolly place," said he, "in times of old!
But something ails it now: the spot is cursed."
Wordsworth.
5. (Zoöl.)
A variety of the common domestic pigeon, so called from a spot on its head just above its beak.
6. (Zoöl.)
(a)
A sciænoid food fish (Liostomus xanthurus) of the Atlantic coast of the United States. It has a black spot behind the shoulders and fifteen oblique dark bars on the sides. Called also goody, Lafayette, masooka, and old wife.
(b)
The southern redfish, or red horse, which has a spot on each side at the base of the tail. See Redfish.
7. pl.
Commodities, as merchandise and cotton, sold for immediate delivery. [Broker's Cant]
Crescent spot (Zoöl.), any butterfly of the family Melitæidæ having crescent- shaped white spots along the margins of the red or brown wings. - - Spot lens (Microscopy), a condensing lens in which the light is confined to an annular pencil by means of a small, round diaphragm (the spot), and used in dark-field ilumination; -- called also spotted lens. --
Spot rump (Zoöl.), the Hudsonian godwit (Limosa hæmastica). --
Spots on the sun. (Astron.) See Sun spot, ander Sun. --
On, or Upon, the spot, immediately; before moving; without changing place.
It was determined upon the spot.
Swift.
Syn. -- Stain; flaw; speck; blot; disgrace; reproach; fault; blemish; place; site; locality.
© Webster 1913
Spot, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spotted; p. pr. & vb. n. Spotting.]
1.
To make visible marks upon with some foreign matter; to discolor in or with spots; to stain; to cover with spots or figures; as, to spot a garnment; to spot paper.
2.
To mark or note so as to insure recognition; to recognize; to detect; as, to spot a criminal. [Cant]
3.
To stain; to blemish; to taint; to disgrace; to tarnish, as reputation; to asperse.
My virgin life no spotted thoughts shall stain.
Sir P. Sidney.
If ever I shall close these eyes but once,
May I live spotted for my perjury.
Beau. & Fl.
To spot timber, to cut or chip it, in preparation for hewing.
© Webster 1913
Spot, v. i.
To become stained with spots.
© Webster 1913
Spot (?), a.
Lit., being on the spot, or place; hence (Com.),
on hand for immediate delivery after sale; -- said of commodities; as, spot wheat.
© Webster 1913