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punctuate

 - 2 dictionary results

punc⋅tu⋅ate

  [puhngk-choo-eyt] verb, -at⋅ed, -at⋅ing.
Use punctuate in a Sentence
–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; < ML pūnctuātus (ptp. of pūnctuāre to point), deriv. of L pūnctus a pricking; see punctual

Related forms:
punc⋅tu⋅a⋅tor, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To punctuate
punc·tu·ate   (pŭngk'chōō-āt')   
v.   punc·tu·at·ed, punc·tu·at·ing, punc·tu·ates

v.   tr.

  1. To provide (a text) with punctuation marks.

  2. To interrupt periodically: "lectures punctuated by questions and discussions" (Gilbert Highet). "[There is] a great emptiness in America's West punctuated by Air Force bases" (Alfred Kazin).

  3. To stress or emphasize.

v.   intr.
To use punctuation.

[Medieval Latin pūnctuāre, pūnctuāt-, from Latin pūnctum, point, from neuter past participle of pungere, to prick; see peuk- in Indo-European roots.]
punc'tu·a'tive adj., punc'tu·a'tor n.
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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