different between punctual vs alert

English

Alternative forms

• punctuall (obsolete)

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?p??ktj??l/, /?p??tj??l/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?p??kt?u?l/, /?p??t?u?l/

Adjective

punctual (comparative more punctual, superlative most punctual)

1. Prompt; on time.
   1. (of an event) Happening at the appointed time
   2. (of a person) Acting at the appointed time

      Luis is never late; he's the most punctual person I know.

2. (mathematics) Existing as a point or series of points
3. (linguistics) Expressing momentary action that has no duration
4. (nonstandard, Euro-English) Periodic; occasional.

   The management of the above mentioned feed sectors is subject to close co-operation with the Member States through […] punctual expert groups meetings where appropriate.

5. (dated) Observing trivial points; punctilious.

Related terms

• point
• pointwise
• punctilious
• punctuate
• punctuality
• punctuation

Translations

Further reading

• punctual in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• punctual in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

Romanian

Etymology

From French ponctuel

Adjective

punctual m or n (feminine singular punctual?, masculine plural punctuali, feminine and neuter plural punctuale)

1. punctual

Declension

Related terms

• punctualitate

English

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /??l??t/
• (General American) enPR: ?-lûrt?, IPA^(key): /??l?t/
• Rhymes: -??(?)t
• Hyphenation: a?lert

Etymology 1

From French alerte (“alert”), from the phrase à l'erte (“on the watch”), from Italian all'erta (“to the height”), from erta (“lookout, tower”).

Adjective

alert (comparative more alert, superlative most alert)

2. Attentive; awake; on guard.
3. (obsolete) brisk; nimble; moving with celerity.

   • I saw an alert young fellow that cocked his hat upon a friend of his who entered just at the same time with myself

Translations

Noun

alert (plural alerts)

1. An alarm.
2. A notification of higher importance than an advisory.
3. (military) A state of readiness for potential combat.

   an airborne alert; ground alert

Translations

Etymology 2

Formed within English by conversion, from alert (adj). Compare French alerter.

Verb

alert (third-person singular simple present alerts, present participle alerting, simple past and past participle alerted)

1. To give warning to.

Translations

References

Anagrams

• alter, alter-, altre, artel, later, ratel, taler, telar

Dutch

Etymology

Borrowed from French alerte.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /a??l?rt/
• Hyphenation: alert
• Rhymes: -?rt

Adjective

alert (comparative alerter, superlative alertst)

1. alert

Inflection

Derived terms

• alertheid

Anagrams

• later, ratel

German

Etymology

From French alerte.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [a?l??t]

Adjective

alert (comparative alerter, superlative am alertesten)

1. alert

Declension

Further reading

• “alert” in Duden online

Romanian

Etymology

From French alerte

Adjective

alert m or n (feminine singular alert?, masculine plural aler?i, feminine and neuter plural alerte)

1. wide-awake

Declension

Swedish

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /a?læ?/
• Rhymes: -æ??

Adjective

alert (comparative alertare, superlative alertast)

1. alert

Declension

Anagrams

• artel, later, letar, realt