Aim
/eɪm/noun
To direct one’s attention, effort, or a weapon toward a target.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from a Latin root meaning “to estimate” or “calculate,” which is why aiming has always been about judgment as much as force.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*aim-
“to estimate, calculate”
Latin
Latin
aestimāre
“to value, appraise, estimate”
Late Latin
Latin
aestimāre
“to estimate, reckon”
Old French
Old French
esmer
“to estimate, judge”
Middle English
English
aymen
“to direct toward a target; to intend”
Modern English
English
aim
“to direct effort, attention, or a weapon toward a target”
Explore more surprising origins