Punctilio
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 A fine point in exactness of conduct, ceremony or procedure. countable, uncountable
"[…]–but, a-propos, ſaid he—Shakeſpear is full of great things—He forgot a ſmall punctillio of announcing your name—it puts you under a neceſſity of doing it yourſelf."
- 2 strict observance of formalities wordnet
- 3 Strictness in observance of formalities. countable, uncountable
"Alas! she little conceived that, though without any apparent levity or disregard to the world's censure, yet from an obsequiousness and acquiescence to the will and pleasure of others, into what thoughtless indiscretion and want of due punctilio she might be led; rendering her, in the case of Philimore and Oriana, by favouring them in their secret union, a most dangerous intimate!"
- 4 a fine point of etiquette or petty formality wordnet
Example
More examples"[…]–but, a-propos, ſaid he—Shakeſpear is full of great things—He forgot a ſmall punctillio of announcing your name—it puts you under a neceſſity of doing it yourſelf."
Etymology
From Italian puntiglio, or Spanish puntillo, diminutive from Latin pūnctum (“point”).
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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.