pointe

tip, point

noun PWAHNT Less Common

Origin: Latin puncta (prick, point)

Also means

peak, high point

Usage Note

Pointe describes a sharp tip (la pointe d'un couteau — 'the tip of a knife'), a peak of activity (une pointe de vitesse — 'a burst of speed'), or a headland. En pointe means 'at the forefront' or 'cutting-edge'. The verb pointer (to point) and the adjective pointu (pointed, sharp) are closely related.

Examples

"La pointe du crayon est cassée."

Natural Translation

The tip of the pencil is broken.

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