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punctilio

 - 2 dictionary results

punc⋅til⋅i⋅o

  [puhngk-til-ee-oh]
Use punctilio in a Sentence
–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
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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punc·til·i·o   (pŭngk-tĭl'ē-ō')   
n.   pl. punc·til·i·os

  1. A fine point of etiquette.

  2. 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.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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