target

I. noun Usage: often attributive Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French targette, targuete, diminutive of targe light shield, from Old French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old Norse targa shield Date: 14th century 1. a small round shield 2. a. a mark to shoot at b. a target marked by shots fired at it c. something or someone fired at or marked for attack d. a goal to be achieved 3. a. an object of ridicule or criticism b. something or someone to be affected by an action or development 4. a. the metallic surface (as of platinum or tungsten) upon which the stream of electrons within an X-ray tube is focused and from which the X-rays are emitted b. a body, surface, or material bombarded with nuclear particles or electrons; especially fluorescent material on which desired visual effects are produced in electronic devices (as in radar) II. transitive verb Date: 1837 1. to make a target of <

targeted her for promotion

>; especially to set as a goal 2. to direct or use toward a target