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Definition of punctuation - 3 dictionary results
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punc⋅tu⋅a⋅tion

  [puhngk-choo-ey-shuhn]
Use punctuation in a Sentence
–noun
1. the practice or system of using certain conventional marks or characters in writing or printing in order to separate elements and make the meaning clear, as in ending a sentence or separating clauses.
2. the act of punctuating.
3. punctuation marks.
Origin:
1530–40; < ML pūnctuātiōn- (s. of pūnctuātiō) a marking, pointing. See punctuate, -ion

Related forms:
punc⋅tu⋅a⋅tion⋅al, punc⋅tu⋅a⋅tive, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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punc·tu·a·tion   (pŭngk'chōō-ā'shən)   
n.  

    1. The use of standard marks and signs in writing and printing to separate words into sentences, clauses, and phrases in order to clarify meaning.

    2. The marks so used.

  2. The act or an instance of punctuating.

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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Word Origin & History

punctuation 
1539, "pointing of the psalms," from M.L. punctuationem (nom. punctuatio) "a marking with points," from punctuatus, pp. of punctuare "to mark with points or dots," from L. punctus "a prick" (see point). Meaning "system of inserting pauses in written matter" is recorded from 1661.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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