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Definition of punctuative - 2 dictionary results

punc⋅tu⋅a⋅tion

  [puhngk-choo-ey-shuhn]
Use punctuative 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·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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