Etymology: < classical Latin pontōn-, pontō flat-bottomed boat, ferry, punt (see pontoon n.¹). Compare also Middle Dutch ponte kind of flat-bottomed boat, ferry-boat (Dutch pont ; > pont n.²), Middle Low German punte , pünte kind of flat-bottomed boat, ferry-boat (German regional (Low German: East Friesland) Pünte ). In sense 3 after punt v.²Apparently unattested in Middle English. By its nature the word may well have been only in local use, restricted to parts of the country where topographic conditions permitted the widespread use of flat-bottomed shallow craft; it is noteworthy that almost all the examples recorded in the first hundred years after its reappearance at the beginning of the 16th cent. (earliest in punt-boat n. at Compounds 1) have some connection either explicitly or implicitly (e.g. author's place of birth or residence) with East Anglia.

Etymology: Origin uncertain; in sense 1 probably < French ponte (in card games) person who plays against the bank (1703; earlier in sense ‘(in card games, e.g. ombre) ace of hearts or diamonds when a red suit is trump’ (1682; compare punto n.³); probably < ponter punt v.¹, although this is first attested later). In sense 2 probably < similar specific use of Spanish punto point (see point n.¹), although such use is apparently not recorded in dictionaries of Spanish. In later use in sense 1 probably influenced by punt v.¹It is uncertain whether the two senses given under this entry represent a single word or two separate words of different origins. With sense 1 compare punter n.¹ 1.

Etymology: Probably shortened < punty n.In sense 2 perhaps arising from the round hollow made on a glass object when the mark made in breaking it off the pontil is removed, although it is also possible that this sense could show a different word (perhaps < punt n.⁴ (compare kick n.² 1), although compare also later punty n. 2).

Etymology: Origin unknown. Compare punt v.³, and perhaps also bunt n.⁸

Etymology: < punt v.¹ (perhaps partly influenced by punt n.⁴). Compare earlier punter n.¹

Etymology: < punt v.²

Etymology: < Irish punt (15th cent. as a monetary unit) < English pound (see pound n.¹).

Etymology: Apparently < French ponter (in games of cards) to lay a stake against the bank (although this is apparently first attested slightly later: 1718) < †pont , obsolete form of masculine past participle of pondre (see pondre v.). Compare punter n.¹, punt n.²

Etymology: < punt n.¹It is not certain that sense 2 shows the same word.

Etymology: Origin unknown. Compare punt n.⁴, and perhaps also bunt v.²Perhaps compare also English regional (Northamptonshire) punt to push with force (of uncertain origin; perhaps variant or alteration of bunt v.², which is recorded in the same source in the sense ‘to kick or strike with the feet’):1854 A. E. Baker Gloss. Northants. Words II. 145 Punt, to push with force: to aid anyone to rise by a push. A boy will often say ‘Give me a punt up on this horse’. To push with the head, as a calf does a cow. With sense 1c compare earlier punted adj.²