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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Spot

Spŏt, n.

noun

n. [Scot. & D. spot, Dan. spitte, spette, from the root of spit; Sw. spot, spittle, mockery, derision, Dan., D., & O. H. Ger. spot, Icel. & N. H. Ger. spott, mockery, derision.]

Sense 1. A mark on a substance made by foreign matter; a speck; a blot; a place discolored.

Out! damned spot. Out! I say. Shak.

Sense 2. Hence, a stain on character or reputation; something that soils purity; disgrace; reproach; fault; blemish.

Yet Chloe, sure, was formed without a spot. Pope.

Sense 3. A small extent of space; a place; any particular place. “Fixed to one spot.” Otway.

The 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.

Sense 4. A small part of a different color from the ground upon which it is; as, the spots of a leopard.

Sense 5. A variety of the common domestic pigeon, so called from a spot on its head just above its beak.

Spots on the sun. See SOLAR. — Upon the spot, immediately; before moving; without changing place.

It was determined upon the spot. Swift.

Synonyms— Stain; flaw; speck; blot; disgrace; reproach; fault; blemish; place; site; locality.

Spŏt, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. SPOTTED; p. pr. & vb. n. SPOTTING.]

  1. To make visible marks upon with some foreign matter; to discolor; to stain; as, to spot a garment; to spot paper.
  2. To mark or note so as to insure recognition; as, to spot a criminal. [Colloq.]
  3. To stain; to blemish; to taint; to disgrace; to tarnish, as reputation.

My virgin life no spotted thoughts shall stain. Sidney. If ever I shall close these eyes but once, May I live spotted for my perjury. Beau. & Fl. 4. To patch by way of ornament. Addison. Spotted fever (Med.), a species of typhus fever accompanied by a rash or eruption of red spots. Dunglison. — To spot timber, to cut or chip it, in preparation for hewing.