English Explanatory Dictionary

point-blank

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Very close; not touching but not more than a few metres (yards).
  2. The distance between a firearm and a target where a projectile in flight is expected to strike the centre of the target without adjusting the elevation of the firearm.
  3. Disconcertingly straightforward or blunt; outright.
adv
  1. In a direct manner, without hesitation.

Pronunciation

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Neøn-point-blank.wav

Word forms

point-blank point blank pointblank

Etymology

From French point blanc (“white point”), originally referring to the white spot to be aimed at on a target (see blank's "bull's eye") or alternatively into empty space being fired horizontally.

This entry uses open data from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA/GFDL). Word forms are used for search and are not indexed as separate pages.
Back to search All on P Russian dictionary Dahl dictionary