in point of fact Definition

fact
noun

1. A thing known to be true, to exist or to have happened.
2. Truth or reality, as distinct from mere statement or belief.

Thesaurus: certainty, reality, truth, actuality, palpability, the score (slang).
3. A piece of information.

Thesaurus: item, detail, datum, particular, specific;information, information (slang), the lowdown (slang).

Idiom: after the fact (before the fact)

After, or before, a crime is committed.

Idiom: as a matter of fact (in actual fact, in fact, in point of fact)

In reality; actually.
Thesaurus: actually, really, truthfully, in point of fact.

Derivative: fact of life

See separate entry.

Idiom: for a fact

With complete certainty.

Idiom: the fact of the matter

The plain truth about the subject in question. See also factual.

Etymology: 16c: from Latin factum something done, from facere to do.

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point
noun

1. A sharp or tapering end or tip.

Thesaurus: tip, end, apex, thorn, spike, barb, prick, spur, tine, tooth, nub.
2. A dot, eg inserted (either on the line or above it) before a decimal fraction, as in 2.1 or 2×1 (two point one).
3. A punctuation mark, especially a full stop.
4. geom.
A position found by means of coordinates.
5. A position, place or location. Often in compounds.

Example: a look-out point
Thesaurus: position, location, spot, place, locality, spot, site, station.
6. A moment.

Example: Sandy lost his temper at that point
7. A stage in a process, etc.
8. A stage, temperature, etc.

Example: boiling-point
9. The right moment for doing something.

Example: She lost courage when it came to the point
10. A feature or characteristic.

Example: She always hides her good points
11. In a statement, argument, etc: a detail, fact or particular used or mentioned.
12. Aim or intention

Example: What is the point of this procedure?
Thesaurus: purpose, motive, aim, goal, objective, end, object, intention, intent.
13. Use or value.

Example: There's no point in trying to change her mind
14. The significance (of a remark, story, joke, etc).
15. A unit or mark in scoring.
16. Any of the 32 directions marked on, or indicated by, a compass.
17. An adjustable tapering rail by means of which a train changes lines.

Form: points (often)
18. elec.
A socket or power point.
19. In an internal combustion engine: either of the two electrical contacts which complete the circuit in the distributor.

Form: points (usually)
20. printing.
A unit of type measurement, equal to &onetwelfth; of a pica¹. Often in compounds.
Example: set in eight-point
21. cricket.
An off-side fielding position at right angles to the batsman.
22a. ballet.
The tip of the toe;
Form: points (usually)
22b. ballet.
A block inserted into the toe of a ballet shoe.
Form: points (usually)
23. A headland or promontory. Often in place names.

Example: Lizard Point
24. Any of an animal's extremities, eg ears, tail and feet.

Form: points (usually)
25. The tip of a deer's horn or antler.

verb pointed, pointing

1. To aim something.

Example: The hitman pointed a gun at her
tr & intr
2a. To extend (one's finger or a pointed object) towards someone or something, so as to direct attention there;
tr & intr
2b. Said of a sign, etc: to indicate (a certain direction).

Example: a weather vane pointing south
intr
3. To extend or face in a certain direction.

Example: He lay on the floor with his toes pointing upward
intr
4. Said of a gun dog: to stand with the nose turned to where the dead game lies.
5. often facetious
To direct someone.
Example: Just point me to the grub
Thesaurus: direct, guide, lead, steer.
6. To indicate or suggest it or them.

Example: It points to one solution
Thesaurus: indicate, designate, show, name, suggest, draw attention to, signify, signal, denote.
Form: point to something (usually)
Form: point to someone
7. In dancing, etc: to extend (the toes) to form a point.
8. To fill gaps or cracks in (stonework or brickwork) with cement or mortar.

Idiom: beside the point

Irrelevant. Compare to the point below.
Thesaurus: irrelevant, immaterial, not pertinent, not germane.

Idiom: carry one's point (gain one's point)

To persuade others of the validity of one's opinion.

Idiom: come to the point (get to the point)

To cut out the irrelevancies and say what one wants to say.
Example: thought he would never get to the point

Idiom: in point of fact

Actually; in truth.

Idiom: make a point of doing something

To be sure of doing it or take care to do it.

Idiom: make one's point

To state one's opinion forcefully.

Idiom: on the point of doing something

About to do it.

Idiom: score points off someone

To argue cleverly and successfully against them, usually on trivial or detailed grounds.

Idiom: to the point

Relevant. Compare beside the point above.
Thesaurus: relevant, pertinent, apt, exact, on target.

Idiom: to the point of ...

To a degree that could be fairly described as ....
Example: Ronald is brave to the point of recklessness

Idiom: up to a point

To a limited degree.
Example: I agree with you up to a point

Etymology: 13c: French, from Latin punctum a dot, from pungere to pierce.

Phrasal Verb: point something out

To indicate or draw attention to it.

Phrasal Verb: point something up

To highlight or emphasize it.