Dart
/dɑːrt/noun
A small pointed missile thrown by hand or with a weapon; also, to move suddenly and quickly.
Did you know?The word is ultimately Germanic, and its earliest sense was tied to a quick thrown missile, not the modern sports target game that came much later.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*der-
“to split, flay, or tear”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*durtō / *durtaz
“a pointed object or spear-like missile”
Old English
OE
durt
“a spear, javelin, or pointed missile”
Middle English
ME
dart
“a small spear or javelin; a sudden shot or thrust”
Modern English
English
dart
“a small pointed missile; to move or shoot suddenly”