Aim

v. i. [Fr. Prov. Pic. amer, O. Fr. asmer, aasmer, esmer, Pr. esmar, aymar, ymar, O. Sp. asmar, to estimate, calculate, adjust, fit, to make an offer to strike, level, aim. Lat. æstimare, to estimate, value. Ger. ahmen, M. H. Ger. âmen, aemen, to gauge a cask, Ger. nachahmen, to imitate.]

1Sense 1. To point with a missive weapon; as, to aim at an enemy.

2Sense 2. To direct the intention or purpose; to attempt the accomplishment of a purpose; — followed by at; as, to aim at distinction. “Aim’st thou at princes?” Pope.

3Sense 3. To guess or conjecture. [Obs.] Shak.

[imp. & p. p. AIMED; p. pr. & vb. n. AIMING.] To direct or point, as a weapon; to direct to a particular object; as, to aim a musket or an arrow, the fist or a blow; to aim a satire or a reflection at some person or vice.

n. [O. Fr. & Pr. esme, Catalan esma, estimation, appreciation. See supra.]

1Sense 1. The pointing or direction of a missile weapon; the direction of any thing to a particular point or object, with a view to strike or affect it, as of a spear, a blow, a discourse, or remark. “Each at the head leveled his deadly aim.” Milton.

2Sense 2. The point intended to be hit, or object intended to be affected. “To be the aim of every dangerous shot.” Shak.

3Sense 3. Purpose; intention; scheme. “How oft ambitious aims are crossed!” Pope.

4Sense 4. Conjecture. [Obs.] “What you would work me to, I have some aim.” Shak.

To cry aim, to encourage. [Obs.] Shak.

Synonyms— End; object; scope; drift; design; purpose; intention; scheme.