a term used in various arts.

in grammar, a character used to mark the divisions of discourse. See Comma, Colon, &c. A point proper is what we otherwise call a full stop, or period. See Punctuation.

The points, or vowel points, in the Hebrew grammar, are certain characters, which in the writings of that language, serve to mark the vowels. The antiquity of these points make the subject of a celebrated controversy, some maintaining their origin to be the same with that of the Hebrew language; and others asserting them to have been first introduced by Eldras, after the Babylonish captivity, when he compiled the canon, transcribed the books into the present Chaldee character, and restored the purity of the Hebrew text. Some will have them invented by the doctors of the school of Tiberias, usually called the masoretes, 500 or 600 years after Christ.

in music, a mark or note anciently used to distinguish the tones or sounds: hence we still call it simple counter-point, when a note of the lower part answers exactly to that of an upper; and figurative counter-point, when any note is syncopated, and one of the parts makes several notes or inflexions of the voice, while the other holds on one.

We still use a point, to raise the value of a note, and Point, in astronomy, a term applied to certain points or places, marked in the heavens, and distinguished by proper epithets.

The four grand points or divisions of the horizon, viz. the east, west, north, and south, are called the cardinal points.

The zenith and nadir are the vertical points; the points wherein the orbits of the planets cut the plane of the ecliptic, are called the nodes; the points wherein the equator and ecliptic intersect, are called the equinoctial points; particularly, that whence the sun ascends towards the north pole, is called the vernal point; and that by which he descends to the south pole, the autumnal point. The points of the ecliptic, where the sun's ascent above the equator, and descent below it, terminate, are called the solstitial point; particularly the former of them, the equinoctial or summer-point; the latter, the boreal or winter-point.

Point, is also used for a cape or headland, jutting out into the sea: thus seamen say, two points of land are in one another, when they are so in a right line against each other, as that the innermost is hindered from being seen by the outermost.

perspective, is used for various poles or places, with regard to the perspective plane. See Perspective.

Points, in heraldry, are the several different parts of an escutcheon, denoting the local positions of any figure. See Heraldry, p. 358, vol. 2.

Point is also an iron or steel instrument, used with some variety in several arts. Engravers, etchers, cutters in wood, &c. use points to trace their designs on the copper, wood, stone, &c. See the articles Engraving, &c.

the manufacture, is a general term, used for all kinds of laces wrought with the needle; such are the point de Venise, point de France, point de Genoa, &c. which are distinguished by the particular economy and arrangement of their points. Point is sometimes used for lace woven with bobbins; as English point, point de Malines, point d'Haute, &c.

poetry, denotes a lively brisk turn, or conceit, usually found or expected at the close of an epigram. See Poetry, no. 47.