5 results for: punctilio

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

punc·til·i·o

Audio Help [puhngk-til-ee-oh] Pronunciation Key

–noun, plural -til·i·os for 1.

1.	a fine point, particular, or detail, as of conduct, ceremony, or procedure.

2.	strictness or exactness in the observance of formalities or amenities.

[Origin: 1590–1600; alter. of It puntiglio < Sp puntillo, dim. of punto < L pūnctum point

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
punctilio

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

punc·til·i·o Audio Help (pŭngk-tĭl'ē-ō') Pronunciation Key
n. pl. punc·til·i·os

A fine point of etiquette.
Precise observance of formalities.

[Obsolete Italian punctiglio, from Spanish puntillo, diminutive of punto, point, from Latin pūnctum, from neuter past participle of pungere, to prick; see peuk- in Indo-European roots.]

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

punctilio
noun
1.	a fine point of etiquette or petty formality
2.	strict observance of formalities

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Punctilio

Punc*til"io\ (p[u^][ng]k*t[i^]l"y[-o]), n.; pl. Punctilios (-y[=o]z). [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.

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