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Webster 1913 Edition

Aim

Aim

,
Verb.
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
; [GREEK] (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
.
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.
Aim’st
thou at princes?
Pope.
3.
To guess or conjecture.
[Obs.]
Shak.

Aim

,
Verb.
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).

Aim

,
Noun.
[Cf. OF.
esme
estimation, fr.
esmer
. See
Aim
,
Verb.
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.
Each at the head leveled his deadly
aim
.
Milton.
2.
The point intended to be hit, or object intended to be attained or affected.
To be the
aim
of every dangerous shot.
Shakespeare
3.
Intention; purpose; design; scheme.
How oft ambitious
aims
are crossed!
Pope.
4.
Conjecture; guess.
[Obs.]
What you would work me to, I have some
aim
.
Shakespeare
To cry aim
(Archery)
,
to encourage.
[Obs.]
Shak.
Syn. – End; object; scope; drift; design; purpose; intention; scheme; tendency; aspiration.

Webster 1828 Edition

Aim

AIM

, v.i.
To point at, with a missive weapon; to direct the intention or purpose; to attempt to reach, or accomplish; to tend towards; to endeavor; followed by at before the object; as, a man aims at distinction; or aims to be rich.

AIM

,
Verb.
T.
To direct or point as a weapon; to direct to a particular object; as, to aim a musket or an arrow, the first or a blow; to aim a satire or a reflection at some person or vice.

AIM

,
Noun.
1.
The pointing or direction of a missile weapon; the direction of any thing to a particular point or object, with a view to strike or affect it; as a spear, a blow, a discourse or remark.
2.
The point intended to be hit, or object intended to be affected; as, a man missed his aim.
3.
Figuratively, a purpose; intention; design; scheme; as, men are often disappointed of their aim.
4.
Conjecture; guess.
It is impossible, by aim, to tell it. [Not used.]

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