Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PUNC-TIL'IOUS, a.

Very nice or exact in the forms of behavior, ceremony or mutual intercourse; very exact in the observance of rules prescribed by law or custom; sometimes, exact to excess. – Rogers.

PUNC-TIL'IOUS-LY, adv.

With exactness or great nicety.

PUNC-TIL'IOUS-NESS, n.

Exactness in the observance of forms or rules; attentive to nice points of behavior or ceremony.

PUNC'TO, n. [Sp. and It. punto; L. punctum, from pungo, to prick.]

1. Nice point of form or ceremony. – Bacon.
2. The point in fencing. – Shak.

PUNC'TU-AL, a. [Fr. ponctuel; It. puntuale; Sp. puntual; from L. punctum, a point.]

1. Consisting in a point; as, this punctual spot. [Little used.] – Milton.
2. Exact; observant of nice points; punctilious, particularly in observing time, appointments or promises. It is honorable in a man to be punctual to appointments, or appointed hours; it is just to be punctual in paying debts.
3. Exact; as, a punctual correspondence between a prediction and an event.
4. Done at the exact time; as, punctual payment.

PUNC'TU-AL-IST, n.

One that is very exact in observing forms and ceremonies. – Milton.

PUNC-TU-AL'I-TY, n.

1. Nicety; scrupulous exactness. He served his prince with punctuality. – Howel.
2. It is now used chiefly in regard to time. He pays his debts with punctuality. He is remarkable for the punctuality of his attendance.

PUNC'TU-AL-LY, adv.

Nicely; exactly; with scrupulous regard to time, appointments, promises or rules; as, to attend a meeting punctually; to pay debts or rent punctually; to observe punctually one's engagements.

PUNC'TU-AL-NESS, n.

Exactness; punctuality. – Felton.

PUNC'TU-ATE, v.t. [Fr. ponctuer, from L. punctum, a point.]

To mark with points; to designate sentences, clauses or other divisions of a writing by points, which mark the proper pauses. – M. Stuart.

PUNC'TU-A-TED, pp.

1. Pointed. – Fourcroy.
2. Having the divisions marked with points.

PUNC'TU-A-TING, ppr.

Marking with points.

PUNC-TU-A'TION, n.

In grammar, the act or art of pointing a writing or discourse, or the act or art of marking with points the divisions of a discourse into sentences and clauses or members of a sentence. Punctuation is performed by four points, the period (.); the colon (:); the semi-colon (;); and the comma (,). The ancients were unacquainted with punctuation; they wrote without any distinction of members, periods, or words.

PUNC'TU-IST, n.

One who understands the art of punctuation.

PUNC'TU-LATE, v.t. [L. punctulum.]

To mark with small spots. [Not used.] – Woodward.

PUNC'TURE, n. [L. punctura; It. puntura.]

The act of perforating with a pointed instrument; or a small hole made by it; as, the puncture of a nail, needle or pin. A lion may perish by the puncture of an asp. – Rambler.

PUNC'TURE, v.t.

To prick; to pierce with a small pointed instrument; as, to puncture the skin.

PUNC'TUR-ED, pp.

Pricked; pierced with a sharp point.

PUNC'TUR-ING, ppr.

Piercing with a sharp point.

PUN'DIT, n. [In Persic, پَندْ pand, learning.]

In Hindoostan, a learned Bramin; one versed in the Sanscrit language, and in the science, laws and religion of that country.

PUN'DLE, n.

A short and fat woman. [Not used.] – Ainsworth.

PUN'GAR, n.

A fish. – Ainsworth.

PUN'GEN-CY, n. [L. pungens, pungo, to prick.]

1. The power of pricking or piercing; as, the pungency of a substance. – Arbuthnot.
2. That quality of a substance which produces the sensation of pricking, or affecting the taste like minute sharp points; sharpness; acridness.
3. Power to pierce the mind or excite keen reflections or remorse; as, the pungency of a discourse.
4. Acrimoniousness; keenness; as, the pungency of wit or of expressions. – Stillingfleet.

PUN'GENT, a. [L. pungens, pungo.]

1. Pricking; stimulating; as, pungent snuff. The pungent grains of titillating dust. – Pope.
2. Acrid; affecting the tongue like small sharp points; as, the sharp and pungent taste of acids. – Newton.
3. Piercing; sharp; as, pungent pains; pungent grief. – Swift.
4. Acrimonious; biting. – Fell.

PU'NIC, a. [L. punicus, pertaining to Carthage or its inhabitants, from Pœni, the Carthaginians; qu. from Phœni, as Carthage was settled by Phenicians.]

Pertaining to the Carthaginians; faithless; treacherous; deceitful; as, punic faith.