punting

punt ¹  (pnt)

n.

An open flatbottom boat with squared ends, used in shallow waters and usually propelled by a long pole.

v. punt·ed, punt·ing, punts

v.tr.

1. To propel (a boat) with a pole.

2. To carry in a punt.

v.intr.

To go in a punt.

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[Probably Middle English *punt, from Old English punt, from Latin pont, pontoon, flatbottom boat, from pns, pont-, bridge; see pent- in Indo-European roots.]

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punter n.

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punt ²  (pnt) Football

n.

A kick in which the ball is dropped from the hands and kicked before it touches the ground.

v. punt·ed, punt·ing, punts

v.tr.

To propel (a ball) by means of a punt.

v.intr.

1. To execute a punt.

2. Informal To cease doing something; give up: Let's punt on this and try something else.

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[Perhaps from dialectal punt, to strike, push, perhaps alteration of bunt.]

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punter n.

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punt ³  (pnt)

intr.v. punt·ed, punt·ing, punts

1. Games To lay a bet against the bank, as in roulette.

2. Chiefly British Slang To gamble.

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[French ponter, from obsolete pont, past participle of pondre, to put (obsolete), to lay an egg, from Old French, to lay an egg, from Latin pnere; see apo- in Indo-European roots.]

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punter n.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

punting - (football) a kick in which the football is dropped from the hands and kicked before it touches the ground; "the punt traveled 50 yards"; "punting is an important part of the game" punt kick, kicking, boot - the act of delivering a blow with the foot; "he gave the ball a powerful kick"; "the team's kicking was excellent" football, football game - any of various games played with a ball (round or oval) in which two teams try to kick or carry or propel the ball into each other's goal