What does a dot mean in the middle of word dictionary?

A dot (.) in the middle of a word in a dictionary usually indicates that the word is an abbreviation.

For example:

* U.S.A. means "United States of America"

* St. means "Saint"

* Dr. means "Doctor"

The dot is used to separate the abbreviated parts of the word and make it clear that it is an abbreviation.

However, there are other possible meanings of a dot in the middle of a word, depending on the context:

* It could be a typo and the dot is not intended to be there.

* It could be a stylistic choice by the dictionary's editors, for example, to emphasize a particular part of the word.

If you are unsure about the meaning of a dot in a dictionary, it is always best to consult the dictionary's entry for the word or to look it up online.