spot
1. spot or upon the spot \'spa:t\ n [ME; akin to MD spotte stain, speck, ON
spotti small piece] 1: a taint on character or reputation : FAULT 2a: a
small area visibly different (as in color, finish, or material) from the
surrounding area 2b: such a spot constituting a disfigurement or blemish
(as from soiling or disease) 2c: a conventionalized design used on playing
cards to distinguish suits an d indicate values 3: an object having a
specified number of spots or a specified numeral on i ts surface 4: a small
quantity or amount 5a: a particular place or area 5b: a small extent of
space 6: a small croaker (Leiostomus xanthurus) of the Atlantic coast with
a black spot behind the shoulders 7a: a particular position (as in an
organization or a hierarchy) 7b: a place on an entertainment program 8: a
position usu. of difficulty or embarrassment 9: a brief announcement or
advertisement broadcast between scheduled radio or television programs 1:
at once : IMMEDIATELY 2: at the place of action 3a: in a responsible or
accountable position 3b: in difficulty or danger - on the spot
2. spot \'spa:t-*-b*l\ vb or spot.ted; or spot.ting 1: to stain the
character or reputation of : DISGRACE 2: to mark in or with a spot : STAIN
3: to locate or identify by a spot 4a: to single out : IDENTIFY; specif :
to note as a known criminal or a suspicious person 4b: DETECT, NOTICE
4c1: to locate accurately {~ an enemy position} 4c2: to cause to strike
accurately {~ the batter's fire} 5a: to lie at intervals in or over : STUD
5b: to place at intervals or in a desired spot 5c: to fix in or as if in
the beam of a spotlight 5d: to schedule in a particular spot or at a
particular time 6: to remove a spot from 7: to allow as a handicap 1: to
become stained or discolored in spots 2: to cause a spot 3: to act as a
spotter; esp : to locate targets - spot.ta.ble aj
3. spot aj 1a: being, originating, or done on the spot or in a few spots {~
c overage of the news} 1b: available for immediate delivery after sale {~
commodities} 1c1: paid out upon delivery {~ cash} 1c2: involving
immediate cash payment {~ transaction} 1d1: broadcast between scheduled
programs {~ announcements} 1d2: originating in a local station for a
national advertiser 2: made at random or restricted to a few places or
instances {~ ch eck}; also : selected at random or as a sample