Definition of the word point out

The origin of the word "point out" can be traced back to Old English, where it was spelled "pætian". This Old English verb came from a Germanic root word "pata" meaning "to indicate" or "to show". In Old English, the verb "pætian" was used in a variety of contexts, including to indicate a location, to make something known, or to highlight a particular feature or object. It typically involved using a pointing gesture, such as extending the finger or pointing with a rod or spear. Over time, the spelling of the word changed, as did its pronunciation. By the time it reached Middle English, it was spelled "peiten" or "poynten". The meaning also evolved, with "point out" coming to be used more specifically to refer to the act of drawing attention to something by gesturing or speaking, as we use it today. The word "point" itself has a similar origin. It comes from the Old English "pæt" meaning "spindle" or "stick", and was used to describe a finger or a pointed object used for indicating or gesture-making. This sense of "point" eventually came to be associated more broadly with anything that indicated or directed, such as an arrow or a compass needle. Thus, the phrase "point out" has a rich linguistic history that reflects the importance of non-verbal communication and gesturing in early English language and culture.