point numbern.
/ˈpɔɪnt ˌnʌmbə/, U.S. /ˈpɔɪnt ˌnəmbər/ 1. Dice (originally and chiefly U.S.). In the game of craps: any of the numbers four, five, six, eight, nine, or ten as thrown by a player, which he or she must then throw again (or throw a seven) in order to end the betting round.
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society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > games of chance > dice-playing > [noun] > craps > type of throw
natural1762
little Joe1886
craps1890
point number1926
miss-out1936
1926 W. T. Kingsbury in Sikeston (Missouri) Standard 2 July The banker keeps track of the point number by placing a black marker on the number in front of him.
1985 Sunday Mail (Brisbane) (Nexis) 10 Nov. The shooter..may have any number of turns at throwing the dice until the point number is repeated.
2020 @DaveMontero 25 Mar. in twitter.com (accessed 16 Sept 2020) Why do I feel like a trip to the grocery store is like a roll at the craps table—and the point number is 4 or 10?
2. Theatre. In a musical: a song which is integral to the action, as serving to advance the plot, etc.
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society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > vocal music > opera > [noun] > musical play > part of
point number1937
1937 N. Coward Present Indicative iii. i. 105 There was a sentimental ballad..and a bright ‘Point’ number.
1960 News Chron. 31 Mar. 4/5 ‘Point numbers’..arise directly out of the play's action—often carrying the plot..forward while they are being sung.
1992 Gramophone Jan. 97/1 Even the most trivial point numbers are insidiously memorable: ‘17 and 21’ and ‘Yankee Doodle Rhythm’, with its infectious syncopated kick, simply refuse to leave you alone.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2021; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1926