different between punctual vs punctuate

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

Etymology

Borrowed from Medieval Latin punctuare (“to mark with points”), from Latin punctus, perfect passive participle of pung? (“I prick, punch”); see point, and compare punch and punctate.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?p??ktju?e?t/
• (General American) IPA^(key): [?p??k?u?e?t]

Verb

punctuate (third-person singular simple present punctuates, present participle punctuating, simple past and past participle punctuated)

1. (transitive) To add punctuation to.

2. (transitive) To add or to interrupt at regular intervals.
3. (transitive) To emphasize; to stress.

Related terms

Translations

Further reading

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

Latin

Verb

p?nctu?te

1. second-person plural present active imperative of p?nctu?