target

n. [ OF. targette, dim. of OF. & F. targe, of Teutonic origin; cf. AS. targe, OD. targie, G. zarge a frame, case, border, OHG. zarga, Icel. targa shield. ] 1. A kind of small shield or buckler, used as a defensive weapon in war. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (a) A butt or mark to shoot at, as for practice, or to test the accuracy of a firearm, or the force of a projectile. (b) The pattern or arrangement of a series of hits made by a marksman on a butt or mark; as, he made a good target. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Surveying) The sliding crosspiece, or vane, on a leveling staff. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Railroad) A conspicuous disk attached to a switch lever to show its position, or for use as a signal. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A thin cut; a slice; specif., of lamb, a piece consisting of the neck and breast joints. [ Eng. ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

6. A tassel or pendent; also, a shred; tatter. [ Obs. Scot. ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

7. A goal for an activity; as, the target of this year's fundraising drive is 2 million dollars. [ PJC ]

8. A metallic object toward which a beam of electrons is aimed in a tube designed to generate X-rays; when the electrons strike the target, the impact causes emission of X-rays. [ PJC ]

9. Any object toward which a beam of photons, a laser beam, an electron beam, or a beam of atomic or subatomic particles is aimed. [ PJC ]

10. A person who is the subject of criticism or ridicule. [ PJC ]

n. The date set as a goal for completion of some activity. [ PJC ]

a. Furnished, armed, or protected, with a target. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who is armed with a target or shield. [ Written also targetier. ] [ 1913 Webster ]