punctilio

[ puhngk-til-ee-oh ]
/ pʌŋkˈtɪl iˌoʊ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR punctilio ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

QUIZZES

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"

"Little Women" may be a classic, but that doesn't mean we all know the meanings of the vocab words from the book. Can you define these words correctly and make Jo proud?
Question 1 of 10
earnest
full seriousness, as of intention or purpose.
a feeling of dread, anxiety, or anguish.
urgent character; imperativeness; insistence; importunateness.
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Origin of punctilio

1590–1600; alteration of Italian puntiglio < Spanish puntillo, diminutive of punto < 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. 2020

Words related to punctilio

ceremony, nicety, code, protocol, form, formality, mores, decorum, civility, customs, refinement, courtesy, politesse, convention, dignity, rules, formalities

Example sentences from the Web for punctilio

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