[syn: draw a bead on, aspire, aim, shoot for]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Command \Com*mand"\, n.
1. An authoritative order requiring obedience; a mandate; an
injunction.
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Awaiting what command their mighty chief
Had to impose. --Milton.
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2. The possession or exercise of authority.
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Command and force may often create, but can never
cure, an aversion. --Locke.
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3. Authority; power or right of control; leadership; as, the
forces under his command.
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4. Power to dominate, command, or overlook by means of
position; scope of vision; survey.
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The steepy stand
Which overlooks the vale with wide command.
--Dryden.
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5. Control; power over something; sway; influence; as, to
have command over one's temper or voice; the fort has
command of the bridge.
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He assumed an absolute command over his readers.
--Dryden.
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6. A body of troops, or any naval or military force or post,
or the whole territory under the authority or control of a
particular officer.
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Word of command (Mil.), a word or phrase of definite and
established meaning, used in directing the movements of
soldiers; as, aim; fire; shoulder arms, etc.
Syn: Control; sway; power; authority; rule; dominion;
sovereignty; mandate; order; injunction; charge; behest.
See Direction.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Aim \Aim\, v. t.
To direct or point, as a weapon, at a particular object; to
direct, as a missile, an act, or a proceeding, at, to, or
against an object; as, to aim a musket or an arrow, the fist
or a blow (at something); to aim a satire or a reflection (at
some person or vice).
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Aim \Aim\, n. [Cf. OF. esme estimation, fr. esmer. See Aim, v.
i.]
1. The pointing of a weapon, as a gun, a dart, or an arrow,
in the line of direction with the object intended to be
struck; the line of fire; the direction of anything, as a
spear, a blow, a discourse, a remark, towards a particular
point or object, with a view to strike or affect it.
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Each at the head leveled his deadly aim. --Milton.
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2. The point intended to be hit, or object intended to be
attained or affected.
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To be the aim of every dangerous shot. --Shak.
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3. Intention; purpose; design; scheme.
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How oft ambitious aims are crossed! --Pope.
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4. Conjecture; guess. [Obs.]
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What you would work me to, I have some aim. --Shak.
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To cry aim (Archery), to encourage. [Obs.] --Shak.
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Syn: End; object; scope; drift; design; purpose; intention;
scheme; tendency; aspiration.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Aim \Aim\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Aimed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Aiming.] [OE. amen, aimen, eimen, to guess at, to estimate,
to aim, OF. esmer, asmer, fr. L. aestimare to estimate; or
perh. fr. OF. aesmer; ? (L. ad) + esmer. See Estimate.]
1. To point or direct a missile weapon, or a weapon which
propels as missile, towards an object or spot with the
intent of hitting it; as, to aim at a fox, or at a target.
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2. To direct the indention or purpose; to attempt the
accomplishment of a purpose; to try to gain; to endeavor;
-- followed by at, or by an infinitive; as, to aim at
distinction; to aim to do well.
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Aim'st thou at princes? --Pope.
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3. To guess or conjecture. [Obs.] --Shak.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
aim
n 1: an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your
planned actions; "his intent was to provide a new
translation"; "good intentions are not enough"; "it was
created with the conscious aim of answering immediate
needs"; "he made no secret of his designs" [syn: purpose,
intent, intention, aim, design]
2: the goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be
attainable); "the sole object of her trip was to see her
children" [syn: aim, object, objective, target]
3: the action of directing something at an object; "he took aim
and fired"
4: the direction or path along which something moves or along
which it lies [syn: bearing, heading, aim]
v 1: point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as
photographic equipment) towards; "Please don't aim at your
little brother!"; "He trained his gun on the burglar";
"Don't train your camera on the women"; "Take a swipe at
one's opponent" [syn: aim, take, train, take aim,
direct]
2: propose or intend; "I aim to arrive at noon" [syn: aim,
purpose, purport, propose]
3: move into a desired direction of discourse; "What are you
driving at?" [syn: drive, get, aim]
4: specifically design a product, event, or activity for a
certain public [syn: calculate, aim, direct]
5: intend (something) to move towards a certain goal; "He aimed
his fists towards his opponent's face"; "criticism directed
at her superior"; "direct your anger towards others, not
towards yourself" [syn: target, aim, place, direct,
point]
6: direct (a remark) toward an intended goal; "She wanted to aim
a pun"
7: have an ambitious plan or a lofty goal [syn: draw a bead
on, aspire, aim, shoot for]
The Devil's Dictionary (1881-1906):
AIM, n. The task we set our wishes to.
"Cheer up! Have you no aim in life?"
She tenderly inquired.
"An aim? Well, no, I haven't, wife;
The fact is -- I have fired."
G.J.