punctuate
Use Punctuate in a sentence
tʃuˌeɪt verb (used with object)
1.
to mark or divide (something written) with punctuation marks in order to make the meaning clear.
2.
to interrupt at intervals: Cheers punctuated the mayor's speech.
3.
to give emphasis or force to; emphasize; underline.
verb (used without object)
4.
to insert or use marks of punctuation.
Origin:
1625–35; < Medieval Latin pūnctuātus (past participle of pūnctuāre to point), derivative of Latin pūnctus a pricking; see punctual
1625–35; < Medieval Latin pūnctuātus (past participle of pūnctuāre to point), derivative of Latin pūnctus a pricking; see punctual
Related forms
punc·tu·a·tor, noun
non·punc·tu·at·ing, adjective
re·punc·tu·ate, verb (used with object), re·punc·tu·at·ed, re·punc·tu·at·ing.
un·punc·tu·at·ed, adjective
un·punc·tu·at·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To punctuate
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Punctuate
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is hornswoggle. Does it mean:
| to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax. |
| chat, to converse |
Collins
World English Dictionary
punctuate (ˈpʌŋktjʊˌeɪt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | (also intr) to insert punctuation marks into (a written text) |
| 2. | to interrupt or insert at frequent intervals: a meeting punctuated by heckling |
| 3. | to give emphasis to |
| [C17: from Medieval Latin punctuāre to prick, from Latin punctum a prick, from pungere to puncture] | |
| 'punctuator | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Example sentences
Rewrite the paragraph on a piece of your own paper being certain to punctuate each sentence correctly.
My farm has suffered from four- to six-inch rainfalls that punctuate the general dryness.
Sprightly bits of lemon zest and garlic punctuate this creamy mayonnaise-based egg salad.
He'd punctuate his round with a nine-yard birdie from off the green at the ninth.
Nearby Words
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