dart
noun /dɑːt/
/dɑːrt/
- [countable] a small pointed object, sometimes with feathers to help it fly, that is shot as a weapon or thrown in the game of darts
enlarge image- a poisoned dart
- darts[uncountable] a game in which darts are thrown at a round board marked with numbers for scoring. Darts is often played in British pubs.
- a darts match
- They spend the evening playing darts in the pub.
Culture dartsdartsDarts is a popular indoor game, often played in British pubs and working men's clubs. Players throw small steel darts with feathers or plastic flights attached to one end at a round dartboard fixed to a wall. The dartboard is divided into 20 numbered areas, each of which has a particular score, and an outer, middle and inner ring. Double points are scored if a dart lands in the outer ring around the edge of the board and treble (= 3 times a number) points if it lands in the inner ring. If a dart lands in the small centre circle, called the bullseye, 50 points are scored.Two or four players play against each other. They take turns to throw three darts each at the board, standing behind a line on the floor called the oche (pronouncedTopics Sports: other sportsc1, Games and toysc1/ˈɒki//ˈɑːki/). Each player starts with 301, or sometimes 501, and scores are taken away from this. The game is won when one of the players reduces their score to zero. The last throw must land in the outer ring or in the bullseye.The game is thought to have developed out of archery several hundred years ago and is said to have been played by the Pilgrim Fathers on the Mayflower. Today, pubs have teams that play in local darts leagues and a few players have been able to turn professional (= be paid for playing). Major darts matches are sometimes shown on television.In the US darts is a popular game in bars. US dart teams are organized into leagues that play for money. - [singular] a sudden quick movement synonym dash
- She made a dart for the door.
- [singular] (literary) a sudden feeling of a strong emotion
- Nina felt a sudden dart of panic.
- [countable] a pointed fold that is sewn in a piece of clothing to make it fit better
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French, accusative of darz, dars, from a West Germanic word meaning ‘spear, lance’.