aim

aim Vorlage:engl.

Das Verb stammt aus mengl. amen, aimen, eimen „erraten, schätzen, zielen“, entlehnt aus afrz. esmer, aesmer, asmer, von lat. ad- + aestimare „schätzen“, dem zusammengesetzten Wort vielleicht im afrz. aus ursprünglich mlat. *adaestimare gebildet. Das Substantiv stammt aus dem Mittelenglischen ame, aus dem Altfranzösischen aesme, esme.

Noun

aim (plural aims)

1. The pointing of a weapon, as a gun, a dart, or an arrow, or object, in the line of direction with the object intended to be struck; the line of fire; the direction of anything, such as a spear, a blow, a discourse, a remark, towards a particular point or object, with a view to strike or affect it.

   Take time with the aim of your gun.

   to take aim

2. The point intended to be hit, or object intended to be attained or affected.
3. Intention or goal [ synonyms ▲][ quotations ▼]

   Synonyms: purpose, design, scheme

   My number one aim in life is to make money to make my parents, siblings and kids happy.

4. The ability of someone to aim straight; one's faculty for being able to hit a physical target

   The police officer has excellent aim, always hitting the bullseye in shooting practice.

5. (obsolete) Conjecture; guess.

Verb

aim (third-person singular simple present aims, present participle aiming, simple past and past participle aimed)

1. (intransitive) To point or direct a missile, or a weapon which propels as missile, towards an object or spot with the intent of hitting it

   He aimed at the target, but the arrow flew straight over it.

2. (intransitive) To direct the intention or purpose; to attempt the accomplishment of a purpose; to try to gain; to endeavor;—followed by at, or by an infinitive [ quotations ▼]

   to aim at a pass

   to aim to do well in life

3. (transitive) To direct or point (e.g. a weapon), at a particular object; to direct, as a missile, an act, or a proceeding, at, to, or against an object

   to aim an arrow at the deer

   She aimed a punch at her ex-boyfriend.

4. (transitive) To direct (something verbal) towards a certain person, thing, or group

   to aim a satirical comment at Communists in general

5. (intransitive, obsolete) To guess or conjecture. [ quotations ▼]