A starting point; a point of origin; an initial impulse, a motive. Frequently contrasted with terminus ad quem, n. 1.

the place in or from which a person or thing starts (in various senses); a starting point; (in later use sometimes spec.) the place occupied by a…

That to which movement or action is directed or tends; an object, an end, a goal. Occasionally also: a starting point, an origin. Now somewhat rare.

Similarly, †salient motion.

salient point: in old medical use, the heart as it first appears in an embryo (cf. quot. 1706); hence, the first beginning of life or motion; the…

figurative. A starting point; a source or origin of life or activity. In later use also: the heart of a matter, the central or most important point…

the point from which a person or thing starts; a point of departure in a journey, argument, narration, development, etc.

A starting point, an origin; a set of progenitors, ancestors, or forebears.

(a) a basis from which something (e.g. a sequence of events or an argument) starts; (b) the place where those taking part in a race, hunt, etc…

the starting point of a journey, etc.; (now chiefly figurative) the starting point of a line of thought or course of action; also attributive (as poi…

A minimum or starting point used for comparisons or development of thought.

= point of departure n. at point, n.1 phrases 2c; frequently figurative.

The initial point of a process or sequence of events; the starting point, the absolute beginning; (Military) the time or day when an attack or…

= starting point n. at starting, n. compounds 4.

a spring-board; also figurative.

= jumping-board n.

In figurative contexts, with reference to the start of any enterprise, activity, etc.

square one: the beginning, the starting-point. Frequently as back to (also in, on) square one.