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