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point-blank
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Adjective point-blank has 2 senses
- point-blank(s = adj.all) blunt, candid, forthright, frank, free-spoken, outspoken, plainspoken, straight-from-the-shoulder - characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion; "blunt talking and straight shooting"; "a blunt New England farmer"; "I gave them my candid opinion"; "forthright criticism"; "a forthright approach to the problem"; "tell me what you think--and you may just as well be frank"; "it is possible to be outspoken without being rude"; "plainspoken and to the point"; "a point-blank accusation"
- point-blank(s = adj.all) Array - close enough to go straight to the target; "point-blank range"; "a point-blank shot"
Adverbial point-blank has 1 sense
CIDE DICTIONARY
point-blank, n. [F. point point + blanc white.].
- The white spot on a target, at which an arrow or other missile is aimed. Jonson. [1913 Webster]
- With all small arms, the second point in which the natural line of sight, when horizontal, cuts the trajectory. [1913 Webster]
point-blank, a.
- Directed in a line toward the object aimed at; aimed directly toward the mark. [1913 Webster]
- Hence, direct; plain; unqualified; -- said of language; as, a point-blank assertion. [1913 Webster]
point-blank, adv.
In a point-blank manner. [1913 Webster]
"To sin point-blank against God's word."
[1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
point-blank, adj. & adv.
--adj.
1 a (of a shot) aimed or fired horizontally at a range very close to the target. b (of a distance or range) very close.
2 (of a remark, question, etc.) blunt, direct.
--adv.
1 at very close range.
2 directly, bluntly.
--adj.
1 a (of a shot) aimed or fired horizontally at a range very close to the target. b (of a distance or range) very close.
2 (of a remark, question, etc.) blunt, direct.
--adv.
1 at very close range.
2 directly, bluntly.
Etymology
prob. f. POINT + BLANK = white spot in the centre of a target
THESAURUS
point-blank
abrupt, abruptly, blunt, bluntly, candidly, categorical, categorically, close, direct, directly, downright, explicit, explicitly, flat, flatly, frankly, nearby, openly, outright, plainly, right away, short, straight, straightforward, to the point, unalloyed, uncompromising, uncompromisingly, unmitigated, unreserved, unreservedlyROGET THESAURUS
point-blank
Plainness
N plainness, simplicity, severity, plain terms, plain English, Saxon English, household words, plain, simple, unornamented, unadorned, unvarnished, homely, homespun, neat, severe, chaste, pure, Saxon, commonplace, matter-of- fact, natural, prosaic, dry, unvaried, monotonous, in plain terms, in plain words, in plain English, in plain common parlance, point-blank.
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