Punctilio
(Punc*til"io) n.; pl. Punctilios (- yoz). [It. puntiglio, or Sp. puntillo, dim. fr. L. punctum
point. See Point, n.] A nice point of exactness in conduct, ceremony, or proceeding; particularity or
exactness in forms; as, the punctilios of a public ceremony.
They will not part with the least punctilio in their opinions and practices.
Fuller. Punctilious
(Punc*til"ious) a. [Cf. It. puntiglioso, Sp. puntilloso.] Attentive to punctilio; very nice or
exact in the forms of behavior, etiquette, or mutual intercourse; precise; exact in the smallest particulars.
"A punctilious observance of divine laws." Rogers. "Very punctilious copies of any letters." The Nation.
Punctilious in the simple and intelligible instances of common life.
I. Taylor. — Punc*til"ious*ly, adv. — Punc*til"ious*ness, n.
Punction
(Punc"tion) n. [L. punctio, fr. pungere, punctum, to prick: cf. F. ponction. Cf. Puncheon.]
A puncturing, or pricking; a puncture.
Punctist
(Punc"tist) n. A punctator. E. Henderson.
Puncto
(Punc"to) n. [See Punto.]
1. A nice point of form or ceremony. Bacon.
2. A term applied to the point in fencing. Farrow.
Punctual
(Punc"tu*al) a. [F. ponctuel from L. punctum point. See Point.]
1. Consisting in a point; limited to a point; unextended. [R.] "This punctual spot." Milton.
The theory of the punctual existence of the soul.
Krauth. 2. Observant of nice points; punctilious; precise.
Punctual to tediousness in all that he relates.
Bp. Burnet.
So much on punctual niceties they stand.
C. Pitt. 3. Appearing or done at, or adhering exactly to, a regular or an appointed time; precise; prompt; as, a
punctual man; a punctual payment. "The race of the undeviating and punctual sun." Cowper.
These sharp strokes [of a pendulum], with their inexorably steady intersections, so agree with our successive
thoughts that they seem like the punctual stops counting off our very souls into the past.
J. Martineau.
Punctualist
(Punc"tu*al*ist) n. One who is very exact in observing forms and ceremonies. Milton.
Punctuality
(Punc`tu*al"i*ty) n. [Cf. F. ponctualité.] The quality or state of being punctual; especially,
adherence to the exact time of an engagement; exactness.
Punctually
(Punc"tu*al*ly) adv. In a punctual manner; promptly; exactly.
Punctualness
(Punc"tu*al*ness), n. Punctuality; exactness.
Punctuate
(Punc"tu*ate) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Punctuated ; p. pr. & vb. n. Punctuating.] [Cf. F. ponctuer.
See Punctual.] To mark with points; to separate into sentences, clauses, etc., by points or stops which
mark the proper pauses in expressing the meaning.
