punctilio [ puhngk-til-ee-oh ]
noun, plural punc·til·i·os for 1.
1. a fine point, particular, or detail, as of conduct, ceremony, or procedure.
2. strictness or exactness in the observance of formalities or amenities.
WORDS RELATED TO PUNCTILIO
ceremony, nicety, code, protocol, form, formality, mores, decorum, civility, customs, refinement, courtesy, politesse, convention, dignity, rules, formalities
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com
Origin: 1590–1600; alteration of Italian puntiglio < Spanish puntillo, diminutive of punto < Latin pūnctum point
EXAMPLE SENTENCES FROM THE WEB FOR PUNCTILIO
There was thus an artificial element in his punctilio that at times might almost raise a smile.
MEMOIR OF FLEEMING JENKIN|ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON
Punctilio, pungk-til′yo, n. a nice point in behaviour or ceremony: nicety in forms: exact observance of forms.
CHAMBERS'S TWENTIETH CENTURY DICTIONARY (PART 3 OF 4: N-R)|VARIOUS
Mr. Fenellan repeated, in a pause, 'Punctilio,' and not emphatically.
ONE OF OUR CONQUERORS, COMPLETE|GEORGE MEREDITH
My superintendents are indulgent; but to a punctilio they demand a due observance of decorum and propriety of conduct.
THE ROMANCE OF OLD NEW ENGLAND ROOFTREES|MARY CAROLINE CRAWFORD
But I will not stand on punctilio when it is a question of trying to save a Penreath of Twelvetrees from the gallows.
THE SHRIEKING PIT|ARTHUR J. REES
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