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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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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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