aim

Etymology 1

The verb is from Middle English amen, aimen, eimen (“to guess at, to estimate, to aim”), borrowed from Old French esmer, aesmer, asmer, from Latin ad- plus aestimare (“to estimate”), the compound perhaps being originally formed in Medieval Latin (adaestimare), perhaps in Old French. The noun is from Middle English ame, from Old French aesme, esme.

noun

1. The pointing of a weapon, as a gun, a dart, or an arrow, or object, in the line of direction with the object intended to be struck; the line of fire; the direction of anything, such as a spear, a blow, a discourse, a remark, towards a particular point or object, with a view to strike or affect it.
   Take time with the aim of your gun.
   to take aim
2. The point intended to be hit, or object intended to be attained or affected.
3. Intention or goal
   My number one aim in life is to make money to make my parents, siblings and kids happy.
   There is no doubt at all that this is the future of machinery, and just as trees grow while the country gentleman is asleep, so while Humanity will be amusing itself, or enjoying cultivated leisure which, and not labour, is the aim of man - or making beautiful things, or reading beautiful things, or simply contemplating the world with admiration and delight, machinery will be doing all the necessary and unpleasant work. 1891, Oscar Wilde, The Soul of Man Under Socialism
   As a matter of fact the Enlightment culture was based on a philosophy inspired to an ethical laicism whose aim was to create a better society based on principles such as solidarity, equality of rights and duties, and full freedom. 2012, Francesca Valensise, From Building Fabric to City Form: Reconstruction in Calabria at end of Eighteenth Century, Gangemi Editore spa, page 8
4. The ability of someone to aim straight; one's faculty for being able to hit a physical target
   The police officer has excellent aim, always hitting the bullseye in shooting practice.
5. (obsolete) Conjecture; guess.

verb

1. (intransitive) To point or direct a missile, or a weapon which propels as missile, towards an object or spot with the intent of hitting it
   He aimed at the target, but the arrow flew straight over it.
2. (intransitive) To direct the intention or purpose; to attempt the accomplishment of a purpose; to try to gain; to endeavor;—followed by at, or by an infinitive
   to aim at a pass
   to aim to do well in life
   Risk is everywhere.[…]For each one there is a frighteningly precise measurement of just how likely it is to jump from the shadows and get you. “The Norm Chronicles”[…]aims to help data-phobes find their way through this blizzard of risks. 2013-06-22, “Snakes and ladders”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8841, page 76
3. (transitive) To direct or point (e.g. a weapon), at a particular object; to direct, as a missile, an act, or a proceeding, at, to, or against an object
   to aim an arrow at the deer
   She aimed a punch at her ex-boyfriend.
4. (transitive) To direct (something verbal) towards a certain person, thing, or group
   to aim a satirical comment at Communists in general
5. (intransitive, obsolete) To guess or conjecture.
   But, good my lord, do it so cunningly / That my discovery be not aimed at; c. 1589–1593, William Shakespeare, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, act 3, scene 1, lines 44–45

Etymology 2

noun

1. Initialism of America Online. AIM; AOL Instant Messenger.