WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Goal
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [F. gaule pole, Prov. F. waule, of German origin; cf. Fries. walu staff, stick, rod, Goth. walus, Icel. v?lr a round stick; prob. akin to E. wale.]
Definition : 1. The mark set to bound a race, and to or around which the constestants run, or from which they start to return to it again; the place at which a race or a journey is to end. Part curb their fiery steeds, or shun the goal With rapid wheels. Milton.

2. The final purpose or aim; the end to which a design tends, or which a person aims to reach or attain. Each individual seeks a several goal. Pope.

3. A base, station, or bound used in various games; in football, a line between two posts across which the ball must pass in order to score; also, the act of kicking the ball over the line between the goal posts. Goal keeper, the player charged with the defense of the goal.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913