Lexic.us

Definition of Point-blank

1. Adverb. In a direct and unequivocal manner. "I asked him point-blank whether he wanted the job"

2. Adjective. Characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion. "A point-blank accusation"

3. Adjective. Close enough to go straight to the target. "A point-blank shot"

Definition of Point-blank

1. Adjective. (context: forensics) very close; not touching but not more than a few metres (yards). ¹

2. Adjective. (context: ballistics) 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. ¹

3. Adjective. Disconcertingly straightforward or blunt. ¹

4. Adverb. In a direct manner, without hesitation. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Point-blank

poinded poinder poinders poinding poindings poinds poinsetta poinsettas poinsettia poinsettia strain

poinsettias point point-and-click point-and-shoot point-and-shoot camera point-blank (current term) point-in-line point-in-lines point-of-care systems point-of-sale

point-set topology point-spread function point A point B point after point angle point bar point bars point blank point break

Literary usage of Point-blank

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Diary, of Thomas Burton, Esq. Member in the Parliaments of Oliver and by Thomas Burton, Goddard, Guibon (1828)
"B, point blank contrary. Serjeant Waller in the chair, demanded whether they would proceed upon the election, or against the person first. Mr. Latham. ..."

2. Slang and Its Analogues Past and Present: A Dictionary, Historical and by John Stephen Farmer, William Ernest Henley (1902)
"CHAPMAN, Mayday, ia I'll to the enemy POINT BLANK ; I'ma villain else. 1611. Bible [Auth. Ver.], Gen. xxv. 32. And Esau said, Behold, I am AT THE POINT to ..."

3. Rifles and Rifle Practice: An Elementary Treatise Upon the Theory of Rifle by Cadmus Marcellus Wilcox (1859)
"This form shows: 1st, that the point blank can be made to approach or recede from the piece, according as the line of fire makes a smaller or greater angle ..."

4. A Dictionary of Mechanical Science, Arts, Manufactures, and Miscellaneous by Alexander Jamieson (1829)
"It dairies a ball of fonr and a half inches diameter, weighing 12 pounds 11 ounces, point-blank 178 paces. DEMISE, in J.au, is applied to an estate in feo ..."

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