spot (spŏt)

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[Middle English, from Old English.]

noun 

1. A place of relatively small and definite limits.
2. 1. A mark on a surface differing sharply in color from its surroundings.
   2. A blemish, mark, or pimple on the skin.
   3. A stain or blot.
3. Games
   1. A mark or pip on a playing card; a spade, club, diamond, or heart.
   2. A playing card with a specified number of such marks on it indicating its value.
4. Informal A piece of paper money worth a specified number of dollars.
5. 1. A location; a locale.
   2. A point of interest: There are a lot of spots to visit in the old city.
   3. A position or an item in an ordered arrangement.
6. Informal A situation, especially a troublesome one.
7. A flaw in one's reputation or character.
8. A short presentation or commercial on television or radio between major programs: a news spot.
9. Informal A spotlight.
10. A small croaker (Leiostomus xanthurus) of North American Atlantic waters, having a dark mark above each pectoral fin and valued as a food and sport fish.
11. Chiefly British A small amount; a bit.

verb: spot·ted, spot·ting, spots. 

transitive verb 

1. To cause a spot or spots to appear on, especially:
   1. To soil with spots.
   2. To decorate with spots; dot.
2. To harm; besmirch.
3. To place in a particular location; situate precisely.
4. To detect or discern, especially visually; spy.
5. To remove spots from, as in a laundry.
6. Sports To yield a favorable scoring margin to: spotted their opponents 11 points.
7. Sports To act as a spotter for (a gymnast, for example).
8. Informal To lend: Can you spot me $25 until payday?

intransitive verb 

1. To become marked with spots.
2. To cause a discoloration or make a stain.
3. To locate targets from the air during combat or training missions.

adjective 

1. Made, paid, or delivered immediately: a spot sale.
2. Of, relating to, or being a market in which payment or delivery is immediate: the spot market in oil.
3. Involving random or selective instances or actions: a spot investigation.
4. Presented between major radio or television programs: a spot announcement.

idioms

in spots

Now and then; here and there; occasionally.

on the spot

Without delay; at once. At the scene of action. Under pressure or attention; in a pressed position.

derivatives

spot́ta·ble

adjective