punctilio
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Punctilio — Punc*til io (p[u^][ng]k*t[i^]l y[ o]), n.; pl. {Punctilios} ( y[=o]z). [It. puntiglio, or Sp. puntillo, dim. fr. L. punctum point. See {Point}, n.] A nice point of exactness in conduct, ceremony, or proceeding; particularity or exactness in… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
punctilio — 1590s, from It. puntiglio or Sp. puntillo, dim. of punto point (see POINT (Cf. point)) … Etymology dictionary
punctilio — [n] etiquette ceremony, civility, code, convention, courtesy, customs, decorum, dignity, form, formalities, formality, mores, nicety, politesse, proper behavior, protocol, p’s and q’s*, refinement, rules, social graces; concept 633 … New thesaurus
punctilio — ► NOUN (pl. punctilios) 1) a fine or petty point of conduct or procedure. 2) punctilious behaviour. ORIGIN Italian puntiglio and Spanish puntillo small point … English terms dictionary
punctilio — [puŋk til′ē ō΄] n. pl. punctilios [altered (infl. by L) < Sp puntillo or It puntiglio, dim. of punto < L punctum, a POINT] 1. a nice point of conduct, ceremony, etc. 2. observance of petty formalities … English World dictionary
punctilio — noun A fine point in exactness of conduct, ceremony or procedure. Strictness in observance of formalities. All those wretched quarrels, in his humble opinion, stirring up bad blood, from some bump of combativeness or gland of some kind,… … Wiktionary
punctilio — (pon kti li o) s. m. Forme italienne qui a été employée quelquefois pour pointille (voy. ce mot). • Cette importante affaire du punctilio qui constitue la grandeur des Romains modernes, VOLT. Dict. phil. Cérémonies … Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré
punctilio — (punk TIH lee oh) [Italian, from Spanish] A fine point of honor, ceremony, or etiquette; care in observing formalities or correctness. As a diplomat, he was noted for his honesty and punctilio in difficult negotiations … Dictionary of foreign words and phrases
punctilio — noun 1) a stickler for punctilio Syn: conformity, conscientiousness, punctiliousness; etiquette, protocol, conventions, formalities, propriety, decorum, manners, politesse, good form, the done thing Ant … Thesaurus of popular words
punctilio — /pʌŋkˈtɪlioʊ/ (say pungk tileeoh) noun (plural punctilios) 1. a fine point, particular, or detail, as of conduct, ceremony, or procedure: *an eye for a punctilio that would do credit to a Pharisee. –david foster, 1981. 2. strictness or exactness… …