punctilio

American  

[puhngk-til-ee-oh] / pʌŋkˈtɪl iˌoʊ /

noun

• punctilios
  plural

1. a fine point, particular, or detail, as of conduct, ceremony, or procedure.

2. strictness or exactness in the observance of formalities or amenities.

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punctilio British  

/ pʌŋkˈtɪlɪˌəʊ /

noun

1. strict attention to minute points of etiquette

2. a petty formality or fine point of etiquette

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• punctilios
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of punctilio

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

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Explanation

Any custom of etiquette can be called a punctilio, especially if it seems a bit silly. Your grandfather's punctilio of announcing his name when he answers the phone might seem silly to you. Men holding doors open for women seems pretty old fashioned to many young people — and a little bit sexist, too. Some older men, however, will stick to this punctilio because they feel it would be rude not to do it. Punctilio comes from the Spanish puntillo, or "little point."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

punctilio punctilios

They combined, then as now, a wild bureaucratic adherence to punctilio and procedure with entanglements of cohort and clan that could shortcut the procedure in a moment.

From The New Yorker ● Jan. 8, 2017

There lingers, even in our mercantile age, an admiration for the aristocratic ethos, the punctilio, of the duel.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 8, 2015

Protocol, punctilio, politesse suddenly drop, leaving Tennyson’s “Nature, red in tooth and claw.”

From BusinessWeek ● Sep. 29, 2011

The Korean armistice talks, which have dragged on through 275 sessions, have provided some classic examples of the use of punctilio to shatter a rival's composure.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Rajah gives the leading features of the character of his countrymen as "pride of race and birth, extraordinary observance of punctilio, and a bigoted adherence to ancient custom and tradition."

From Man, Past and Present by Alfred Court Haddon

Communist party congresses are usu ally thoroughly predictable, ritualistic affairs, and for a time last week the Twelfth Congress of the Italian party in Bologna observed the punctilios.

From Time Magazine Archive

It was a delightful exchange from the endless ceremonies and punctilios of the region over which Louis XIV. presided.

From The Wits and Beaux of Society Volume 1 by Grace Wharton

Was I to stand on punctilios with a great Christian noble?

From Tancred Or, The New Crusade by Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield

All punctilios were trampled under foot by the impetuosity of Ormond.

From Ormond, Volume II (of 3) or, The Secret Witness by Charles Brockden Brown

He gave it up from punctilios of honour; lost, at least possibly, the opportunity of great political power.

From The Sea: Its Stirring Story of Adventure, Peril, & Heroism. Volume 1 by Frederick Whymper

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