spot  (sp ŏt)
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n.1. a. A mark on a surface differing sharply in color from its surroundings. b. A blemish, mark, or pimple on the skin. c. A stain or blot. 2. Games a. A mark or pip on a playing card; a spade, club, diamond, or heart. b. A playing card with a specified number of such marks on it indicating its value. 3. Informal A piece of paper money worth a specified number of dollars: a five spot. 4. a. A small area: a bald spot; an itchy spot. b. A location or position: a good spot for catching fish. c. A point of interest: There are a lot of spots to visit in the old city. d. A position or an item in an ordered arrangement: the first spot in line. e. Football The position of the ball for the line of scrimmage as determined by a referee after a play. 5. Informal A situation, especially a troublesome one. 6. A flaw in one's reputation or character: a dark spot in his past. 7. A short presentation or commercial on television or radio between major programs: a news spot. 8. Informal A spotlight. 9. pl. spot or spots A small croaker (Leiostomus xanthurus) of North American Atlantic waters, having a dark mark above each pectoral fin and valued as a food and game fish. 10. Chiefly British A small amount; a bit: a spot of tea. v. spot·ted, spot·ting, spots v.tr.1. To cause a spot or spots to appear on, especially: a. To soil with spots: Soot spotted the curtains. b. To decorate with spots; dot. 2. To bring disgrace to; besmirch: rumors that spotted his reputation. 3. a. To place in a particular location; situate precisely: spotted their stores in smaller towns. b. Football To position (the ball) determining the line of scrimmage after a play has been completed. 4. To detect or discern, especially visually; spy: spotted him on the subway. 5. To remove spots from, as in a laundry. 6. Sports To yield a favorable scoring margin to: spotted their opponents 11 points. 7. Sports To act as a spotter for (a gymnast, for example). 8. Informal To lend: Can you spot me $25 until payday? v.intr.1. To become marked with spots: These dishes spot easily. 2. To cause a discoloration or make a stain. 3. To locate targets from the air during combat or training missions. adj.1. Made, paid, or delivered immediately: a spot sale. 2. Of, relating to, or being a market in which payment or delivery is immediate: the spot market in oil. 3. Involving random or selective instances or actions: a spot investigation. 4. Presented between major radio or television programs: a spot announcement. Idioms: in spots Now and then; here and there; occasionally. on the spot1. Without delay; at once. 2. At the scene of action. 3. Under pressure or attention; in a pressed position.
[Middle English, from Old English.]
spotta·ble adj. | 
