AIM • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Aim

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noun

Aim n.

The pointing of a weapon, as a gun, a dart, or an arrow, in the line of direction with the object intended to be struck; the line of fire; the direction of anything, as a spear, a blow, a discourse, a remark, towards a particular point or object, with a view to strike or affect it. "Each at the head leveled his deadly aim."

The point intended to be hit, or object intended to be attained or affected. "To be the aim of every dangerous shot."

Intention; purpose; design; scheme. "How oft ambitious aims are crossed!"

Conjecture; guess. (Obs.) "What you would work me to, I have some aim."

To cry aim (Archery), to encourage. (Obs.)

Synonyms: End; object; scope; drift; design; purpose; intention; scheme; tendency; aspiration.

verb

Aim v. t. To direct or point, as a weapon, at a particular object; to direct, as a missile, an act, or a proceeding, at, to, or against an object; as, to aim a musket or an arrow, the fist or a blow (at something); to aim a satire or a reflection (at some person or vice).

Aim v. i. (past & past part. aimed; pres. part. aiming)

To point or direct a missile weapon, or a weapon which propels as missile, towards an object or spot with the intent of hitting it; as, to aim at a fox, or at a target.

To direct the indention or purpose; to attempt the accomplishment of a purpose; to try to gain; to endeavor; followed by at, or by an infinitive; as, to aim at distinction; to aim to do well. "Aim'st thou at princes?"

To guess or conjecture. (Obs.)

See images of 'Aim'

Etymology of 'Aim'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Aim" Quotes from Famous Books

... enough for him. But the miserable folly and puerility of such an altercation as that in which he had just been engaged, the poor display of human character, the little low passions which bad been called up, even in himself, alike destitute of worthy cause and aim, and which had perhaps but just missed ending in the death of some and the living death of others,—it all wrought to bring him back to his old wearying of human nature and despondent eying of the everywhere jarrings, confusions, and discordances in the moral world. The fresh sea-breeze ...

— Queechy • Susan Warner

... one aim during his stay at San Salvatore to be a treasure. At all costs the three ladies who were not his wife must like him and trust him. Then presently when trouble arose in their lives—and in what lives did not trouble sooner or later arise?—they ...

— The Enchanted April • Elizabeth von Arnim

... swung round, for the man who stepped out into the road wore a white uniform. The sailor leaned against the wall to steady his aim, and his tense pose and rigid hand indicated that he was pressing ...

— The Buccaneer Farmer - Published In England Under The Title "Askew's Victory" • Harold Bindloss

... player at Edinburgh, and also of old Mr. Sheridan. Johnson said to me, 'Sir, your pronunciation is not offensive.' With this concession I was pretty well satisfied; and let me give my countrymen of North-Britain an advice not to aim at absolute perfection in this respect; not to speak High English, as we are apt to call what is far removed from the Scotch, but which is by no means good English, and makes, 'the fools who use it[471],' truly ridiculous[472]. Good English is plain, easy, and smooth ...

— Life Of Johnson, Vol. 2 • Boswell

... proposals, but all was ineffectual. They sallied forth with increased vigor, so as to oblige the Griquas to retreat, though only to a short distance, for they never attempted to pursue above 200 yards from their camp. The firing, though without any order, was very destructive, as each took a steady aim. Many of their chief men fell victims to their own temerity, after manifesting undaunted spirit. Again and again the chiefs and Mr. Melville met to deliberate on how to act to prevent bloodshed among a people who determined to die rather than flee, which ...

— Mexico and its Religion • Robert A. Wilson

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