Etymology The verb is from Middle English amen, aimen, eimen (“to guess at, to estimate, to aim”), borrowed from Old French esmer, aesmer, asmer, from Latin ad- plus aestimare (“to estimate”), the compound perhaps being originally formed in Medieval Latin (adaestimare), perhaps in Old French. The noun is from Middle English ame, from Old French aesme, esme.
1
The pointing of a weapon, as a gun, a dart, or an arrow, or object, in the line of direction with the object intended to be struck; the line of fire; the direction of anything, such as a spear, a blow, a discourse, a remark, towards a particular point or object, with a view to strike or affect it.
to take aim
Take time with the aim of your gun.
1 more example
2012, "The Legend of the Gobblewonker", season 1, episode 2 of Gravity Falls, spoken by Grunkle Stan, voiced by Alex Hirsch My ex-wife still misses me, but her aim is getting better!
2
The point intended to be hit, or object intended to be attained or affected.
3
Intention or goal.
My number one aim in life is to make money to make my parents, siblings, and kids happy.
There is no doubt at all that this is the future of machinery, and just as trees grow while the country gentleman is asleep, so while Humanity will be amusing itself, or enjoying cultivated leisure—which, and not labour, is the aim of man—or making beautiful things, or reading beautiful things, or simply contemplating the world with admiration and delight, machinery will be doing all the necessary and unpleasant work.1891 February, Oscar Wilde, “The Soul of Man Under Socialism”, in The Fortnightly Review, volume 49, number 290, page 303:
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As a matter of fact the Enlightment culture was based on a philosophy inspired to an ethical laicism whose aim was to create a better society based on principles such as solidarity, equality of rights and duties, and full freedom.2012, Francesca Valensise, From Building Fabric to City Form: Reconstruction in Calabria at end of Eighteenth Century, Gangemi Editore spa, →ISBN, page 8:
4
The ability of someone to aim straight; one’s faculty for being able to hit a physical target.
The police officer has excellent aim, always hitting the bullseye in shooting practice.
He has a bad aim, so he decided to join archery classes.
What you would work me to, I have some aim.1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii]:
Internet, Ambitransitive, Historical, Informal To talk to (someone) via the instant messaging service AIM (AOL Instant Messenger; 1997–2017); to send (someone) a message via this service.
Um, alrighty then. Marcus likes me, we AIMed earlier and had really good cybersex. =Þ1998 July 14, The Unholy Priest Rubicant, “My God, no!!”, in alt.games.final-fantasy (Usenet), archived from the original on 04 Jul 2026:
I am not on AOL but I do have AIM. My AIM name is sparkieee2 so whenever I am on, feel free to AIM me.1999 January 28, Kim Wild, “AOL Friends/Chat/Support”, in alt.med.fibromyalgia (Usenet), archived from the original on 04 Jul 2026:
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anyway. that's why i lost another friend. because i told him all of that. he's certain not to talk to me again. wait, he just AIMed me.2004 February 23, kitznegari thinks it has wings, “lost yet another "friend" today.”, in alt.support.shyness (Usenet), archived from the original on 04 Jul 2026:
aim
verb
Etymology The verb is from Middle English amen, aimen, eimen (“to guess at, to estimate, to aim”), borrowed from Old French esmer, aesmer, asmer, from Latin ad- plus aestimare (“to estimate”), the compound perhaps being originally formed in Medieval Latin (adaestimare), perhaps in Old French. The noun is from Middle English ame, from Old French aesme, esme.
1
To point or direct a missile, or a weapon which propels as missile, towards an object or spot with the intent of hitting it
He aimed at the target, but the arrow flew straight over it.
2
To direct the intention or purpose; to attempt the accomplishment of a purpose; to try to gain; to endeavor;—followed by at, or by an infinitive
to aim at a pass
to aim to do well in life
2 more examples
The stories did not seem to me to touch life. They were plainly intended to have a bracing moral effect, and perhaps had this result for the people at whom they were aimed.1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter I, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC:
Risk is everywhere.[…]For each one there is a frighteningly precise measurement of just how likely it is to jump from the shadows and get you. “The Norm Chronicles”[…]aims to help data-phobes find their way through this blizzard of risks.2013 June 22, “Snakes and ladders”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8841, page 76:
3
To direct or point (e.g. a weapon), at a particular object; to direct, as a missile, an act, or a proceeding, at, to, or against an object
to aim an arrow at the deer
She aimed a punch at her ex-boyfriend.
1 more example
He aimed the gun at him and he held his hands up in surrender.
4
To direct (something verbal) towards a certain person, thing, or group
to aim a satirical comment at Communists in general
But, good my lord, do it so cunningly / That my discovery be not aimed at;c. 1589–1593, William Shakespeare, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, act 3, scene 1, lines 44–45: