dart (därt)
n.

1. 1. A slender, pointed missile, often having tail fins, thrown by hand, shot from a blowgun, or expelled by an exploding bomb.
   2. An object likened to a slender, pointed missile either in shape, use, or effect.
2. The stinger of an insect.
3. darts (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Games. A game in which small, slender, pointed missiles are thrown at a target.
4. A sudden, rapid movement.
5. A tapered tuck sewn to adjust the fit of a garment.

v., dart·ed, dart·ing, darts.

v.intr.
To move suddenly and rapidly: The dog darted across the street.

v.tr.

1. To thrust or throw suddenly and rapidly.
2. To cause to move swiftly and abruptly: The squirrel darted its head from side to side before scampering up the tree.
3. To shoot (an animal) with a tranquilizing dart.

[Middle English, from Old French, of Germanic origin.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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