Emily Dickinson Lexicon

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.