The spitzer bullet, also commonly referred to as a spire point (Spire Point is a proprietary term describing a spitzer style bullet), is primarily a small arms ballistics development of the late 19th and early 20th century, driven by military desire for aerodynamic bullet designs that will give a higher degree of accuracy and kinetic efficiency, especially at extended ranges. To achieve this, the projectile must minimize drag in flight. The name "spitzer" is an anglicized form of the German word Spitzgeschoss, literally meaning "pointed projectile".