dart

[ dahrt ]

noun

1. a small, slender missile that is pointed at one end and usually feathered at the other and is propelled by hand, as in the game of darts, or by a blowgun when used as a weapon.

   Synonyms: barb, arrow

2. something similar in function to such a missile, as the stinging member of an insect.
3. darts, (used with a singular verb) a game in which darts are thrown at a target usually marked with concentric circles divided into segments and with a bull's-eye in the center.
4. an act of darting; a sudden swift movement.
5. a tapered seam of fabric for adjusting the fit of a garment.

verb (used without object)

1. to move swiftly; spring or start suddenly and run swiftly:

   A mouse darted out of the closet and ran across the room.

   Synonyms: shoot, bolt, dash

verb (used with object)

1. to thrust or move suddenly or rapidly:

   He darted his eyes around the room.

dart

¹

/ dɑːt /

noun

1. a small narrow pointed missile that is thrown or shot, as in the game of darts
2. a sudden quick movement
3. zoology a slender pointed structure, as in snails for aiding copulation or in nematodes for penetrating the host's tissues
4. a tapered tuck made in dressmaking

verb

1. to move or throw swiftly and suddenly; shoot

   she darted across the room

dart

²

/ dɑːt /

noun

1. any of various tropical and semitropical marine fish

Derived Forms

• ˈdarting, adjective
• ˈdartingly, adverb

Other Words From

• darting·ly adverb
• darting·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dart¹

1275–1325; Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French < Old Low Franconian; compare Old English daroth, Old High German tart, Old Norse darrathr spear, lance

Word History and Origins

Origin of dart¹

C14: from Old French, of Germanic origin; related to Old English daroth spear, Old High German tart dart

Origin of dart²

from Middle English darce , from Late Latin dardus , dart, javelin

Example Sentences

It contains, as you see, very good photogravures and chromographs of our old objets d'art.'

From Project Gutenberg

Art dealers all over the country offered him liberal commissions if he would dispose of expensive objets d'art to his friends.

From Project Gutenberg

All around him was a litter of objets d'art, such as would have filled the heart of any connoisseur with joy.

From Project Gutenberg

There are two consoles in the room, with small cabinets above which hold certain objets d'art in keeping with the room.

From Project Gutenberg

The interior woodwork is cream, pointed with blue, and there are blues innumerable in the rugs and curtains and objets d'art.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bound
• dash
• flash
• fling
• flit
• float
• gallop
• hurry
• hurtle
• scamper
• scoot
• scurry
• skim
• sprint