punctilio
[puhngk-til-ee-oh]
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.
Origin of punctilio
1590–1600; alteration of Italian puntiglio < Spanish puntillo, diminutive of punto < Latin pūnctum point
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for punctilio
ceremony, nicety, code, protocol, form, formality, mores, decorum, civility, customs, refinement, courtesy, politesse, convention, dignity, rules, formalitiesExamples from the Web for punctilio
Historical Examples of punctilio
Punctilio at an end, the moment she is out of her father's house.
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
Punctilio is out of doors the moment you are out of your father's house.
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
But if you cannot despise and hate him—if you care not to break with him, you must part with some punctilio's.
Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
Punctilio will, at any time, stand for reason with such an one.
Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
Very honorable indeed; but at this moment we must waive a punctilio.
The Knight Of Gwynne, Vol. I (of II)Charles James Lever
punctilio
noun plural -os
Word Origin for punctilio
C16: from Italian puntiglio small point, from punto point, from Latin punctum point
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