point-blank

• POS: Adjective, Adverb

CIDE DICTIONARY

point-blank, n. [F. point point + blanc white.].

•  The white spot on a target, at which an arrow or other missile is aimed.  Jonson.  [1913 Webster]
•  With all small arms, the second point in which the natural line of sight, when horizontal, cuts the trajectory.  [1913 Webster]

point-blank, a. 

•  Directed in a line toward the object aimed at; aimed directly toward the mark.  [1913 Webster]
•  Hence, direct; plain; unqualified; -- said of language; as, a point-blank assertion.  [1913 Webster]

Point-blank range, the extent of the apparent right line of a ball discharged. -- Point-blank shot, the shot of a gun pointed directly toward the object to be hit.

point-blank, adv. 

 In a point-blank manner.  [1913 Webster]
"To sin point-blank against God's word."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

point-blank, adj. & adv.
--adj.
1 a (of a shot) aimed or fired horizontally at a range very close to the target. b (of a distance or range) very close.
2 (of a remark, question, etc.) blunt, direct.
--adv.
1 at very close range.
2 directly, bluntly.

Etymology

prob. f. POINT + BLANK = white spot in the centre of a target

THESAURUS

point-blank

abrupt, abruptly, blunt, bluntly, candidly, categorical, categorically, close, direct, directly, downright, explicit, explicitly, flat, flatly, frankly, nearby, openly, outright, plainly, right away, short, straight, straightforward, to the point, unalloyed, uncompromising, uncompromisingly, unmitigated, unreserved, unreservedly

ROGET THESAURUS

point-blank

Plainness

N plainness, simplicity, severity, plain terms, plain English, Saxon English, household words, plain, simple, unornamented, unadorned, unvarnished, homely, homespun, neat, severe, chaste, pure, Saxon, commonplace, matter-of- fact, natural, prosaic, dry, unvaried, monotonous, in plain terms, in plain words, in plain English, in plain common parlance, point-blank.