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punctilio

[ puhngk-til-ee-oh ]
/ pʌŋkˈtɪl iˌoʊ /
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noun, plural punc·til·i·os for 1.
a fine point, particular, or detail, as of conduct, ceremony, or procedure.
strictness or exactness in the observance of formalities or amenities.
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Origin of punctilio

First recorded in 1590–1600; alteration of Italian puntiglio, from Spanish puntillo, diminutive of punto, from Latin pūnctum point

Words nearby punctilio

punctate keratitis, punctate keratoderma, punctatim, punctation, punctiform, punctilio, punctilious, punctual, punctuality, punctuate, punctuated equilibrium
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

Words related to punctilio

ceremony, civility, code, convention, courtesy, customs, decorum, dignity, form, formalities, mores, nicety, politesse, protocol, refinement, rules, p's and q's

How to use punctilio in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for punctilio

punctilio
/ (pʌŋkˈtɪlɪˌəʊ) /
noun plural -os
strict attention to minute points of etiquette
a petty formality or fine point of etiquette

Word Origin for punctilio

C16: from Italian puntiglio small point, from punto point, from Latin punctum point
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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