Definition of dart

The word "dart" has its origins in Old English, where it was spelled "dartan" or "dærtan". It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*driziz", which is also the source of the Modern English word "drive". In Old English, "dart" referred to a sudden, swift motion or a sharp point or edge. This sense of swiftness and sharpness has been retained in modern English, with "dart" being used to describe a small, sharp missile (such as a dart thrown by a dartboard) or a quick, sudden movement (like a darting fish). Over time, the meaning of "dart" has expanded to include figurative uses, such as "to dart" meaning to move quickly or "a dart in the heart" referring to a sudden, sharp pain. Despite these diversions, the word's origins in Old English and Proto-Germanic remain the roots of its modern English meaning.