Pointing vs. Depointing — What's the Difference?

Pointing is a gesture specifying a direction from a person's body, usually indicating a location, person, event, thing or idea. It typically is formed by extending the arm, hand, and index finger, although it may be functionally similar to other hand gestures.

(astronomy) The practice of pointing an antenna or telescope slightly away from a direct line of sight in order to correct for parallax

The action of filling the joints of brickwork or masonry with mortar

A sharp or tapered end

An object having a sharp or tapered end

A tapering extension of land projecting into water; a peninsula, cape, or promontory.

A mark formed by or as if by a sharp end.

A mark or dot used in printing or writing for punctuation, especially a period.

A decimal point.

(Linguistics) A vowel point.

One of the protruding marks used in certain methods of writing and printing for the blind.

A dimensionless geometric object having no properties except location.

An element in a geometrically described set.

A place or locality considered with regard to its position

A narrowly particularized and localized position or place; a spot

A specified degree, condition, or limit, as in a scale or course

Any of the 32 equal divisions marked at the circumference of a mariner's compass card that indicate direction.

The interval of 11°15′ between any two adjacent markings.

A distinct condition or degree

The interval of time immediately before a given occurrence; the verge

A specific moment in time

An objective or purpose to be reached or achieved, or one that is worth reaching or achieving

The major idea or essential part of a concept or narrative

A significant, outstanding, or effective idea, argument, or suggestion

A separate, distinguishing item or element; a detail

A quality or characteristic that is important or distinctive, especially a standard characteristic used to judge an animal.

A single unit, as in counting, rating, or measuring.

A unit of academic credit usually equal to one hour of class work per week during one semester.

A numerical unit of academic achievement equal to a letter grade.

Sports & Games A unit of scoring or counting.

A unit equal to one dollar, used to quote or state variations in the current prices of stocks or commodities.

A unit equal to one percent, used to quote or state interest rates or shares in gross profits.

One percent of the total principal of a loan, paid up front to the lender and considered separately from the interest.

(Music) A phrase, such as a fugue subject, in contrapuntal music.

(Printing) A unit of type size equal to 0.01384 inch, or approximately 1/72 of an inch.

A jeweler's unit of weight equal to 2 milligrams or 0.01 carat.

The act or an instance of pointing.

The stiff and attentive stance taken by a hunting dog.

A reconnaissance or patrol unit that moves ahead of an advance party or guard, or that follows a rear guard.

The position occupied by such a unit or guard

Either of two positions in ice hockey just inside the offensive zone near the boards, usually assumed by defenders attempting to keep the puck in the offensive zone.

(Basketball) A position in the forecourt beyond the top of the key, usually taken by the point guard.

In women's lacrosse, a defensive player who marks the opponent playing nearest to the goal (the first home).

An electrical contact, especially one in the distributor of an automobile engine.

Chiefly British An electrical socket or outlet.

Points The extremities of an animal, such as a cat or horse, especially when they differ in color from the rest of the coat.

A movable rail, tapered at the end, such as that used in a railroad switch.

The vertex of the angle created by the intersection of rails in a frog or switch.

A ribbon or cord with a metal tag at the end, used to fasten clothing in the 16th and 17th centuries.

To direct or aim

To bring (something) to notice

To indicate the position or direction of

To sharpen (a pencil, for example); provide with a point.

To separate with decimal points

To mark (text) with points; punctuate.

(Linguistics) To mark (a consonant) with a vowel point.

To give emphasis to; stress

To indicate the presence and position of (game) by standing immobile and directing the muzzle toward it. Used of a hunting dog.

To fill and finish the joints of (masonry) with cement or mortar.

To direct attention or indicate position with or as if with the finger.

To turn the mind or thought in a particular direction or to a particular conclusion

To be turned or faced in a given direction; aim.

To indicate the presence and position of game. Used of a hunting dog.

(Nautical) To sail close to the wind.

The action of the verb to point.

The filling of joints in brickwork or masonry with mortar.

Mortar that has been placed between bricks to fill the gap.

The act or art of punctuating; punctuation.

The rubbing off of the point of the wheat grain in the first process of high milling.

(art) The act or process of measuring, at the various distances from the surface of a block of marble, the surface of a future piece of statuary; also, a process used in cutting the statue from the artist's model.

Present participle of point

The act of sharpening.

The act of designating, as a position or direction, by means of something pointed, as a finger or a rod.

The act or art of punctuating; punctuation.

The act of filling and finishing the joints in masonry with mortar, cement, etc.; also, the material so used.

The rubbing off of the point of the wheat grain in the first process of high milling.

The act or process of measuring, at the various distances from the surface of a block of marble, the surface of a future piece of statuary; also, a process used in cutting the statue from the artist's model.

That points