c. 1300, "shield," diminutive of late Old English targe, from Old French targe "light shield" (12c.), from Frankish *targa "shield," from Proto-Germanic *targ- (cognates: Old High German zarga "edging, border," German zarge "border, edge, frame," Old English targe, Old Norse targa "shield, buckler"), perhaps originally "edge of a shield." Meaning "round object to be aimed at in shooting" first recorded 1757, originally in archery, perhaps suggested by the concentric circles in both. Target-practice is from 1801. Target audience is by 1951; early reference is to Cold War psychological warfare.
target (v.)
"to use as a target," 1837, from target (n.). Earlier it meant "to shield" (1610s). Related: Targeted; targeting.
实用例句
1. We aimed the microscope at a likely looking target.
我们把显微镜对准了一个看起来合适的目标。来自柯林斯例句
2. I struck the ball cleanly and my shot was on target.
我干脆利落地击球，命中了目标。来自柯林斯例句
3. We were still right on target for our deadline.
我们仍然有可能赶在最后期限前达成目标。来自柯林斯例句
4. She was a prime target for blackmail, don't you see?
她是敲诈的主要目标。你难道看不出来吗？来自柯林斯例句
5. This is a target which is surely within the realm of possibility.
