| 释义 |
punctually, adv.|ˈpʌŋktjuːəlɪ|
[f. punctual + -ly2.]
In a punctual manner.
†1. By or as by pricking; in the way of puncture, or (fig.) of compunction. Obs. rare.
1631R. Bolton Comf. Affl. Consc. 134 ‘They were pricked in their heart’. Marg. The word in the originall signifieth to vexe, rent, and wound punctually. 1647Trapp Comm. Acts ii. 37 Punctually pricked and pierced.
†2. To the point, directly; explicitly, expressly; definitely, with direct aim, point-blank. Obs.
Quot. 1570 appears to belong here.
1570Bp. Lesley Let. 15 Jan. in Robertson Hist. Scot. App. 67 For the retiring of her forces puntyvally for lack of aid. 1615Byfield Expos. Colos. ii. 19 It is a most happy ability to speak punctually, directly to the point. 1638Rouse Heav. Univ. x. (1702) 152 Christ our Master punctually and expressly doth call for excellent Fruits of his Desciples. 1657M. Hawke Killing is M. Pref., This pestilent and perilous Libel, which punctually leveleth at the ruin and fate of his Highness. 1669Sturmy Mariner's Mag. v. xii. 68 Shooting punctually, Levill by a dispart 206. Paces.
3. Precisely, exactly, accurately, in every point or detail. Obs. or arch.
1604E. G[rimstone] D'Acosta's Hist. Indies vi. viii. 450 A kinde of writing with small stones, by meanes whereof, they learne punctually the words they desire to know by heart. 1678Cudworth Intell. Syst. i. iv. §14. 240 The Question is so punctually stated..that there is no possibility of any subterfuge left. 1738Birch Milton App., M.'s Wks. I. 69 Had the Memorandum been punctually dated. 1887Stevenson Bks. which influenced me Wks. 1895 III. 284 To understand that he is not punctually right, nor those from whom he differs absolutely wrong.
†4. Point by point; in detail; minutely, circumstantially. (Often with mixture of sense 3.)
1620E. Blount Horæ Subs. 533, I should now punctually search the seuerall Authors, and Inuenters of Lawes, amongst different Nations..but that would bee too long. 1649Milton Eikon. xx, This Chapter cannot punctually be answer'd without more repetitions than now can be excusable. 1679Hist. Jetzer 31 The Papal Brief being read, and Jetzer Examined punctually of all his Confession. a1741T. Chalkley Wks. (1766) 26 He told me this Dream so punctually.
5. With careful attention to, or insistence upon, points or details of conduct; with strict observance of rule or obligation; strictly, scrupulously, carefully, punctiliously. Now rare exc. as in 6.
1598Barret Theor. Warres iv. i. 117 The other officers will more punctuallie performe their dutie. 1609Overbury St. France (1626) 28 No men stand more punctually vpon their Honours in matter of Valour. 1719De Foe Crusoe (1840) II. xii. 251 The people..dealt very fairly and punctually with us in all their agreements and bargains. 1820Southey Wesley II. 538 Never was resolution more punctually observed. 1859Lewin Invas. Brit. 78 Cæsar..found..that his orders for preparations had been punctually obeyed.
6. With strict observance of the appointed time; at the precise time. (Now the prevailing sense.)
In the early quots. contextual, the sense being really 3 or 5.
1647Clarendon Hist. Reb. iv. §161 All those..who were sent for, appeared punctually at the hour that was assigned them. 1691Ray Creation i. (1692) 54 The Heavenly Bodies..punctually come about in the same Periods to the hundredth part of a Minute. 1745De Foe's Eng. Tradesm. ii. (1845) I. 18 [He] sends them up punctually by the time. 1896Sir J. Rigby in Law Times Rep. LXXIII. 614/2 If the instalments were not punctually paid, the building society would come down on the property. Mod. You can't expect the trains to arrive punctually on Christmas Eve. |