punctilion.adj.

Brit.

/ˌpʌŋ(k)ˈtɪlɪəʊ/, U.S.

/ˌpəŋ(k)ˈtɪlioʊ/

Inflections: Plural punctilios, (rare) punctilioes.

Forms:

α. 1500s–1600s puntilio, 1600s puntiglio, 1600s puntillio, 1600s puntillo, 1600s puntylio. 1596 J. Harington Anat. Metamorph. Aiax Prol. sig. B5 Standing vpon the puntilio of honour, hauing beene chalenged.1615 R. Brathwait Strappado 61 (note) For my pretty tooth-picker, the Criticke Lawyer, who stands on the puntylio of his honour, I am by Martialls meanes prouided of armour.1626 T. Hawkins tr. N. Caussin Holy Court I. 290 Animosityes, reuenges, quarrels, puntilloes.1649 J. Milton Εικονοκλαστης xi. 104 With reason, conscience, honour, policy, or puntilios.1666 W. Temple Let. to Sir W. Godolphin 1 Apr. in Wks. (1757) I. 257 To lay by the puntiglio.

β. 1600s punctiglio, 1600s punctilo, 1600s–1700s punctillio, 1600s–1700s punctillo, 1600s– punctilio. 1600 R. Cecil Let. 2 Aug. in Lett. R. Cecil to G. Carew (1864) 12 I will not deny but that the pride of the Spaniards is such as nothing is so deare vnto them as punctilios.1604 T. Bilson Suruey Christs Sufferings 614 Where are now your quicke & thicke punctilioes & easie hell that you so plea withall?1626 J. Pory Let. 11 Aug. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. III. 245 The Bishop stood upon his punctilios.1630 Earl of Strafford in Slingsby Diary (1836) 324 Concerning that Punctillo.1642 King Charles I Conc. Treaty at Oxford in Wks. (1662) II. 257 If every Punctilio must be forced to be sent forwards and backwards a hundred miles.a1648 Ld. Herbert Life Henry VIII (1649) 207 As for the little cavills and punctiglios, concerning the receiving of Giovanni Joakim and the like.1660 R. Allestree Gentlemans Calling 81 [To] descend..from their punctilioes.1666 W. Temple Let. to Sir W. Godolphin 1 Apr. in Wks. (1757) I. 257 To lay by the puntiglio.1708 O. Dykes Moral Reflexions Eng. Prov. 181 Tim'd according to the nice Punctillo's of nicking the Opportunity.1792 J. Almon Anecd. Life W. Pitt (octavo ed.) III. xxxviii. 28 The noble Lord talks of Spanish punctillios.1854 A. F. Tytler Universal Hist. iii. 163 All articles were agreed upon, when a small punctilio exasperated the Thebans.1992 J. Stern & M. Stern Encycl. Pop Culture 141/1 Dirty Harry hates..all the little, stupid legal punctilios that allow criminals to run rampant.

Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from Italian. Partly a borrowing from Spanish. Etymons: Italian puntiglio; Spanish puntillo.

Etymology: < Italian puntiglio trifling point (1551; now obsolete), minute detail of action or conduct, nicety of behaviour, point of honour (a1556), stubborn insistence upon minutiae of action or conduct (a1556), cavil, quibble, sophistry (a1580) and its etymon Spanish puntillo dot (a1435), minute detail of action or conduct, nicety of behaviour, point of honour (1545) < punto point n.¹ + -illo , diminutive suffix (compare -illa suffix). Compare later pointille n.¹, punctille n.Forms in punct- are after classical Latin punctum.

A. n.

a. A minute detail of action or conduct; a nicety of behaviour, ceremony, or honour; a small or petty formality. Also: a hair-splitting or fastidious objection; a scruple. †to stand upon punctilios and variants: to have particular regard for niceties of conduct, etc.; to be punctilious (cf. to stand upon points at point n.¹ Phrases 3h) (obsolete).In quot. 1596 with reference to language.

ΘΚΠ

society > morality > virtue > honourableness > [noun] > point of honour > detailed

punto1584

punctilio1596

punctille1610

punctuality1621

punkettoa1625

the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > [noun] > seemly behaviour or propriety > strict decorum > a detail of

punto1584

punctilio1596

punctille1610

punctuality1621

punkettoa1625

1596 T. Nashe Haue with you to Saffron-Walden sig. M2^v But now he..quite renounst his naturall English accents & gestures, & wrested himselfe wholy to the Italian puntilios, speaking our homely Iland tongue strangely.

1600 R. Cecil Let. 2 Aug. in Lett. R. Cecil to G. Carew (1864) 12 I will not deny but that the pride of the Spaniards is such as nothing is so deare vnto them as punctilios.

1626 J. Pory Let. 11 Aug. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. III. 245 The Bishop stood upon his punctilios.

a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) II. 50 He professes a mortal Hatred to Ceremonies, and yet has more Punctilios than a Jew.

1747 R. Campbell London Tradesman xxxvii. 197 He must be a very polite Man, and skilled in all the Punctilio's of City-good-breeding.

1794 R. B. Sheridan Duenna (new ed.) i. 12 To trifle with me at such a juncture as this—now to stand on punctilios.

1836 H. Rogers Life J. Howe (1863) ii. 17 He [sc. Laud] was ready to visit the omission of the most trifling ecclesiastical punctilios with relentless severity.

1855 H. Melville Israel Potter xxii. 246 He stood upon no punctilios with his jailers.

1890 M. Oliphant Kirsteen III. viii. 131 Marg'ret..moved about, observing many punctilios, with a tremor of emotion which was not altogether painful.

1932 New Eng. Q. 5 738 The next series of interesting incidents in the career of Phips and his crew at Boston concerned a certain punctilio of the sea.

1961 Shakespeare Q. 12 104 For a softspoken phrase he can have all Rome at his feet—he withholds that phrase, sacrificing advancement to a punctilio.

1992 J. Stern & M. Stern Encycl. Pop Culture 141/1 Dirty Harry hates..all the little, stupid legal punctilios that allow criminals to run rampant.

†b. A small or trifling point, detail, or particular; a particle, jot. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [noun] > that which is unimportant > of little importance or trivial

gnatc1000

ball play?c1225

smalla1250

triflec1290

fly1297

child's gamec1380

motec1390

mitec1400

child's playc1405

trufferyc1429

toyc1450

curiosity1474

fly-winga1500

neither mass nor matins1528

boys' play1538

nugament1543

knack?1544

fable1552

nincety-fincety1566

mouse1584

molehill1590

coot1594

scoff1594

nidgery1611

pin matter1611

triviality1611

minuity1612

feathera1616

fillip1621

rattle1622

fiddlesticka1625

apex1625

rush candle1628

punctilio1631

rushlight1635

notchet1637

peppercorn1638

petty John1640

emptiness1646

fool-fangle1647

nonny-no1652

crepundian1655

fly-biting1659

pushpin1660

whinny-whanny1673

whiffle1680

straw1692

two and a plack1692

fiddle1695

trivial1715

barley-strawa1721

nothingism1742

curse1763

nihility1765

minutia1782

bee's knee1797

minutiae1797

niff-naff1808

playwork1824

floccinaucity1829

trivialism1830

chicken feed1834

nonsensical1842

meemaw1862

infinitesimality1867

pinfall1868

fidfad1875

flummadiddle1882

quantité négligeable1885

quotidian1902

pipsqueak1905

hickey1909

piddle1910

cream puff1920

squat1934

administrivia1937

chickenshit1938

cream puff1938

diddly-squat1963

non-issue1965

Tinkertoy1972

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > [noun] > quality of being specific or detailed > a detail or particular > minute

minutea1450

quidlibet1611

punto1623

punctilio1631

nicety1649

punctuality1661

minutiae1797

1631 T. Heywood Englands Elizabeth 63 Not the least punctilio of any State affaires past beyond his obseruation.

1642 King Charles I Conc. Treaty at Oxford in Wks. (1662) II. 257 If every Punctilio must be forced to be sent forwards and backwards a hundred miles.

1676 T. Mace Musick's Monument 92 There is yet one little Punctilio, which I must aquaint you with, before I leave these 4 Notes.

1706 Sc. Rogue ii. 5 Having declared my self ready to..become their humble Servant in the least Punctilio.

1777 R. De Courcy Rejoinder iii. 130 Nor would we, in the smallest Punctilio, wish to deviate from any express institution of our common Legislator.

1815 J. Adams Wks. (1856) X. 131 We have never..lost any one punctilio of those rights or liberties.

1854 A. F. Tytler Universal Hist. iii. 163 All articles were agreed upon, when a small punctilio exasperated the Thebans.

†c. A precise point or fact. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > [noun] > truth known by observation, fact > precise

punctilio1654

1654 R. Vilvain Theoremata Theologica ii. 76 By their doctrin al depends on the peremptory punctilio of Gods..Decree.

1683 F. Hodelston in London Gaz. No. 1860/5 Treasonable Practices to a Punctillio of Rebellion, contriving the Murder of Your Person.

a. As a mass noun: strict observance of or insistence upon minutiae of action or conduct; petty formality; punctiliousness.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > [noun] > seemly behaviour or propriety > strict decorum

formc1405

galancie1581

ceremoniousness1583

punctilio1596

formality1599

ceremony1603

punctuality1618

punctillea1648

complementalness1657

formalness1684

punctiliousness1685

nicety1693

ceremonial1749

square-toedness1846

punctiliosity1859

uptightness1969

1596 J. Harington Anat. Metamorph. Aiax Prol. sig. B5 Standing vpon the puntilio of honour, hauing beene chalenged.

1615 R. Brathwait Strappado 61 (note) For my pretty tooth-picker, the Criticke Lawyer, who stands on the puntylio of his honour, I am by Martialls meanes prouided of armour.

1677 T. D'Urfey Madam Fickle i. 8 My Lord was as unmannerly a Fellow as I ever saw... He a Noble Man, and punctilio no better.

1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 36. ⁋2 [She] takes the Whole of this Life to consist in understanding Punctilio and Decorum.

1713 Guardian No. 137 (1726) II. 201 My Lord Froth has been so Educated in Punctilio, that he governs himself by a Ceremonial in all the ordinary Occurrences of Life.

1747 S. Richardson Clarissa I. xxxvi. 244 People of birth stood a little too much upon punctilio.

1819 W. Irving Sketch Bk. iv. 309 The preliminaries [of the marriage] had been conducted with proper punctilio.

1897 H. James Spoils of Poynton vi. 68 He wasn't doing anything so vulgar as to make love to her; but there was a kind of punctilio for a man who was engaged.

1943 R.A.F. Jrnl. Aug. 22 All the matchless punctilio of an iron discipline coloured his daily round.

1978 J. Updike Coup (1979) iv. 171 These noodly motifs the French had brought, along with military science, the metric system, and punctilio.

2000 R. Sterling World Food: Spain 215 You are free to have anything you wish and in whatever order. There is no overweening sense of culinary punctilio.

†b. Probably: a punctilious person. Obsolete. rare.

ΚΠ

1603 S. Harsnett Declar. Popish Impostures 47 A Male-content standing upon his worth like some of our high Puntilios scorned to sort himselfe with any of his ranke.

†3. A sharp point; (also) a point marked on a sundial. Obsolete. rare.In quots. with punning reference to sense A. 1.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > instruments for measuring time > clock > [noun] > part(s) of > dial or markings on dial

tablea1400

dial1440

watch1588

punctilio1596

dial platea1652

recliner1652

dial piece1658

face1659

horary circle1664

night dial1670

horizontal dial1674

hour-stroke1674

hour-plate1690

clock face1764

niche1822

society > communication > indication > marking > a mark > [noun] > dot

prickOE

punctilio1596

prick-mark1701

pop1718

1596 Vlysses vpon Aiax sig. Cv^v He shall finde the Puntilio of his honour blunted.

1600 B. Jonson Every Man out of his Humor ii. i. sig. Eiii^v To the perfection of Complement (which is the dyall of the thought..) are requir'd these three Projects: the Gnomon, the Puntilio's, and the Superficies: the Superficies, is that we call Place; the Puntilio's, Circumstance; and the Gnomon, Ceremonie.

†4. The highest point, the apex (literal and figurative); a high projecting point or tip. Obsolete. rare.In quot. 1650: a high detail on a building (perhaps influenced by sense A. 1b).

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > high position > [noun] > highest point or top > pointed

pin?a1475

apex1590

punctilio1601

cone1611

cuspis1646

cusp1647

peak1785

the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > [noun] > state of or advanced condition > highest point

prickOE

heighta1050

full1340

higha1398

pointc1400

roofa1500

top-castle1548

ruff1549

acmea1568

tip1567

noontide1578

high tide1579

superlative1583

summity1588

spring tide1593

meridian1594

period1595

apogee1600

punctilio1601

high-water mark1602

noon1609

zenith1610

auge1611

apex1624

culmination1633

cumble1640

culmen1646

climax1647

topc1650

cumulus1659

summit1661

perigeum1670

highest1688

consummation1698

stretch1741

high point1787

perihelion1804

summary1831

comble1832

heading up1857

climacteric1870

flashpoint1878

tip-end1885

peak1902

noontime1903

Omega point1981

1601 B. Jonson Fountaine of Selfe-love ii. iii. sig. D3^v He that is yet in..his Course..& hath not toucht the Puntillio or point of hopes.

1650 W. Brough Sacred Princ. 1 A three-fold Knowledge of Religion..of Pinacles or Punctilio's, high and curious points in the building.

†5. A moment, an instant. Only in punctilio of time. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > duration > shortness or brevity in time > [noun] > moment or instant

hand-whileOE

prinkOE

start-while?c1225

twinkling1303

rese?c1335

prick1340

momenta1382

pointa1382

minutea1393

instant1398

braida1400

siquarea1400

twink14..

whip?c1450

movement1490

punct1513

pissing whilea1556

trice1579

turning of a hand1579

wink1585

twinklec1592

semiquaver1602

punto1616

punctilio of time1620

punctum1620

breathing1625

instance1631

tantillation1651

rapc1700

crack1725

turning of a straw1755

pig's whisper1780

jiffy1785

less than no time1788

jiff1797

blinka1813

gliffy1820

handclap1822

glimpsea1824

eyewink1836

thought1836

eye-blink1838

semibreve1845

pop1847

two shakes of a lamb's taila1855

pig's whistle1859

time point1867

New York minute1870

tick1879

mo?1896

second1897

styme1897

split-second1912

split minute1931

no-time1942

sec.1956

1620 Bp. J. King Serm. 24 Mar. 23 Let no man..tye him to canonicall houres, atomes, and puntilio's of time, tempus, tempus, statutum tempus.

1650 W. Charleton tr. J. B. van Helmont in W. James Varieties Relig. Experience (1902) xx. 497 It was then discovered that the porter had expired, near about the same punctilio of time.

1679 C. Ness Distinct Disc. Antichrist 235 To leave the pointing out of this punctilio of time to God only.

1743 W. Crawford Zion's Traveller (ed. 2) lv. 114 What's thy short Punctilio of Time, to an endless Duration?

1794 T. Harwood Serm. iii. 39 In that punctilio of time, in which they should be mindful of reconciling their souls to the Almighty.

†B. adj. (attributive).

Trifling, petty. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adjective] > small or trifling in amount or degree

eathlyc890

littleOE

slender1530

foolish1533

triflinga1538

paltry1565

puny?1594

mean1599

minikin1617

unconsiderable1643

inconsiderable1648

punctilio1660

sneaking1703

insignificant1748

flimsy1756

peppercornish1762

peppercorn1791

microscopic1798

pindling1861

midget1879

diddly1893

scroddyc1909

chickenshit1934

1660 J. Milton Notes Serm. M. Griffith sig. B2 Should they who were left sitting, break up, or not dare enact aught..for the punctilio wanting of a full number?

1702 J. Vanbrugh False Friend v. i The injury's too great for a punctilio satisfaction.

Compounds

General attributive and objective.

ΚΠ

1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison VI. v. 16 Yet say I not this for punctilio-sake.

1761 C. Churchill Rosciad 15 The nice punctilio-mongers of this age, The grand minute reformers of the stage.

Derivatives

† punctilionist n. Obsolete a punctilious person.Apparently an isolated use.

ΚΠ

1825 New Monthly Mag. 15 200/1 A compliance..which we could wish to see more frequent with other punctilionists of the drama.

† punctilioship n. Obsolete observance of niceties, punctiliousness.Apparently an isolated use.

ΚΠ

1714 J. Savage tr. B. Gracián y Morales Art Prudence (ed. 3) 183 Punctilioship is tiresome.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	punctilio
释义	punctilion.adj. Brit. /ˌpʌŋ(k)ˈtɪlɪəʊ/, U.S. /ˌpəŋ(k)ˈtɪlioʊ/ Inflections: Plural punctilios, (rare) punctilioes. Forms: α. 1500s–1600s puntilio, 1600s puntiglio, 1600s puntillio, 1600s puntillo, 1600s puntylio. 1596 J. Harington Anat. Metamorph. Aiax Prol. sig. B5 Standing vpon the puntilio of honour, hauing beene chalenged.1615 R. Brathwait Strappado 61 (note) For my pretty tooth-picker, the Criticke Lawyer, who stands on the puntylio of his honour, I am by Martialls meanes prouided of armour.1626 T. Hawkins tr. N. Caussin Holy Court I. 290 Animosityes, reuenges, quarrels, puntilloes.1649 J. Milton Εικονοκλαστης xi. 104 With reason, conscience, honour, policy, or puntilios.1666 W. Temple Let. to Sir W. Godolphin 1 Apr. in Wks. (1757) I. 257 To lay by the puntiglio. β. 1600s punctiglio, 1600s punctilo, 1600s–1700s punctillio, 1600s–1700s punctillo, 1600s– punctilio. 1600 R. Cecil Let. 2 Aug. in Lett. R. Cecil to G. Carew (1864) 12 I will not deny but that the pride of the Spaniards is such as nothing is so deare vnto them as punctilios.1604 T. Bilson Suruey Christs Sufferings 614 Where are now your quicke & thicke punctilioes & easie hell that you so plea withall?1626 J. Pory Let. 11 Aug. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. III. 245 The Bishop stood upon his punctilios.1630 Earl of Strafford in Slingsby Diary (1836) 324 Concerning that Punctillo.1642 King Charles I Conc. Treaty at Oxford in Wks. (1662) II. 257 If every Punctilio must be forced to be sent forwards and backwards a hundred miles.a1648 Ld. Herbert Life Henry VIII (1649) 207 As for the little cavills and punctiglios, concerning the receiving of Giovanni Joakim and the like.1660 R. Allestree Gentlemans Calling 81 [To] descend..from their punctilioes.1666 W. Temple Let. to Sir W. Godolphin 1 Apr. in Wks. (1757) I. 257 To lay by the puntiglio.1708 O. Dykes Moral Reflexions Eng. Prov. 181 Tim'd according to the nice Punctillo's of nicking the Opportunity.1792 J. Almon Anecd. Life W. Pitt (octavo ed.) III. xxxviii. 28 The noble Lord talks of Spanish punctillios.1854 A. F. Tytler Universal Hist. iii. 163 All articles were agreed upon, when a small punctilio exasperated the Thebans.1992 J. Stern & M. Stern Encycl. Pop Culture 141/1 Dirty Harry hates..all the little, stupid legal punctilios that allow criminals to run rampant. Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from Italian. Partly a borrowing from Spanish. Etymons: Italian puntiglio; Spanish puntillo. Etymology: < Italian puntiglio trifling point (1551; now obsolete), minute detail of action or conduct, nicety of behaviour, point of honour (a1556), stubborn insistence upon minutiae of action or conduct (a1556), cavil, quibble, sophistry (a1580) and its etymon Spanish puntillo dot (a1435), minute detail of action or conduct, nicety of behaviour, point of honour (1545) < punto point n.¹ + -illo , diminutive suffix (compare -illa suffix). Compare later pointille n.¹, punctille n.Forms in punct- are after classical Latin punctum. A. n. 1. a. A minute detail of action or conduct; a nicety of behaviour, ceremony, or honour; a small or petty formality. Also: a hair-splitting or fastidious objection; a scruple. †to stand upon punctilios and variants: to have particular regard for niceties of conduct, etc.; to be punctilious (cf. to stand upon points at point n.¹ Phrases 3h) (obsolete).In quot. 1596 with reference to language. ΘΚΠ society > morality > virtue > honourableness > [noun] > point of honour > detailed punto1584 punctilio1596 punctille1610 punctuality1621 punkettoa1625 the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > [noun] > seemly behaviour or propriety > strict decorum > a detail of punto1584 punctilio1596 punctille1610 punctuality1621 punkettoa1625 1596 T. Nashe Haue with you to Saffron-Walden sig. M2^v But now he..quite renounst his naturall English accents & gestures, & wrested himselfe wholy to the Italian puntilios, speaking our homely Iland tongue strangely. 1600 R. Cecil Let. 2 Aug. in Lett. R. Cecil to G. Carew (1864) 12 I will not deny but that the pride of the Spaniards is such as nothing is so deare vnto them as punctilios. 1626 J. Pory Let. 11 Aug. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. III. 245 The Bishop stood upon his punctilios. a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) II. 50 He professes a mortal Hatred to Ceremonies, and yet has more Punctilios than a Jew. 1747 R. Campbell London Tradesman xxxvii. 197 He must be a very polite Man, and skilled in all the Punctilio's of City-good-breeding. 1794 R. B. Sheridan Duenna (new ed.) i. 12 To trifle with me at such a juncture as this—now to stand on punctilios. 1836 H. Rogers Life J. Howe (1863) ii. 17 He [sc. Laud] was ready to visit the omission of the most trifling ecclesiastical punctilios with relentless severity. 1855 H. Melville Israel Potter xxii. 246 He stood upon no punctilios with his jailers. 1890 M. Oliphant Kirsteen III. viii. 131 Marg'ret..moved about, observing many punctilios, with a tremor of emotion which was not altogether painful. 1932 New Eng. Q. 5 738 The next series of interesting incidents in the career of Phips and his crew at Boston concerned a certain punctilio of the sea. 1961 Shakespeare Q. 12 104 For a softspoken phrase he can have all Rome at his feet—he withholds that phrase, sacrificing advancement to a punctilio. 1992 J. Stern & M. Stern Encycl. Pop Culture 141/1 Dirty Harry hates..all the little, stupid legal punctilios that allow criminals to run rampant. †b. A small or trifling point, detail, or particular; a particle, jot. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [noun] > that which is unimportant > of little importance or trivial gnatc1000 ball play?c1225 smalla1250 triflec1290 fly1297 child's gamec1380 motec1390 mitec1400 child's playc1405 trufferyc1429 toyc1450 curiosity1474 fly-winga1500 neither mass nor matins1528 boys' play1538 nugament1543 knack?1544 fable1552 nincety-fincety1566 mouse1584 molehill1590 coot1594 scoff1594 nidgery1611 pin matter1611 triviality1611 minuity1612 feathera1616 fillip1621 rattle1622 fiddlesticka1625 apex1625 rush candle1628 punctilio1631 rushlight1635 notchet1637 peppercorn1638 petty John1640 emptiness1646 fool-fangle1647 nonny-no1652 crepundian1655 fly-biting1659 pushpin1660 whinny-whanny1673 whiffle1680 straw1692 two and a plack1692 fiddle1695 trivial1715 barley-strawa1721 nothingism1742 curse1763 nihility1765 minutia1782 bee's knee1797 minutiae1797 niff-naff1808 playwork1824 floccinaucity1829 trivialism1830 chicken feed1834 nonsensical1842 meemaw1862 infinitesimality1867 pinfall1868 fidfad1875 flummadiddle1882 quantité négligeable1885 quotidian1902 pipsqueak1905 hickey1909 piddle1910 cream puff1920 squat1934 administrivia1937 chickenshit1938 cream puff1938 diddly-squat1963 non-issue1965 Tinkertoy1972 the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > [noun] > quality of being specific or detailed > a detail or particular > minute minutea1450 quidlibet1611 punto1623 punctilio1631 nicety1649 punctuality1661 minutiae1797 1631 T. Heywood Englands Elizabeth 63 Not the least punctilio of any State affaires past beyond his obseruation. 1642 King Charles I Conc. Treaty at Oxford in Wks. (1662) II. 257 If every Punctilio must be forced to be sent forwards and backwards a hundred miles. 1676 T. Mace Musick's Monument 92 There is yet one little Punctilio, which I must aquaint you with, before I leave these 4 Notes. 1706 Sc. Rogue ii. 5 Having declared my self ready to..become their humble Servant in the least Punctilio. 1777 R. De Courcy Rejoinder iii. 130 Nor would we, in the smallest Punctilio, wish to deviate from any express institution of our common Legislator. 1815 J. Adams Wks. (1856) X. 131 We have never..lost any one punctilio of those rights or liberties. 1854 A. F. Tytler Universal Hist. iii. 163 All articles were agreed upon, when a small punctilio exasperated the Thebans. †c. A precise point or fact. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > [noun] > truth known by observation, fact > precise punctilio1654 1654 R. Vilvain Theoremata Theologica ii. 76 By their doctrin al depends on the peremptory punctilio of Gods..Decree. 1683 F. Hodelston in London Gaz. No. 1860/5 Treasonable Practices to a Punctillio of Rebellion, contriving the Murder of Your Person. 2. a. As a mass noun: strict observance of or insistence upon minutiae of action or conduct; petty formality; punctiliousness. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > [noun] > seemly behaviour or propriety > strict decorum formc1405 galancie1581 ceremoniousness1583 punctilio1596 formality1599 ceremony1603 punctuality1618 punctillea1648 complementalness1657 formalness1684 punctiliousness1685 nicety1693 ceremonial1749 square-toedness1846 punctiliosity1859 uptightness1969 1596 J. Harington Anat. Metamorph. Aiax Prol. sig. B5 Standing vpon the puntilio of honour, hauing beene chalenged. 1615 R. Brathwait Strappado 61 (note) For my pretty tooth-picker, the Criticke Lawyer, who stands on the puntylio of his honour, I am by Martialls meanes prouided of armour. 1677 T. D'Urfey Madam Fickle i. 8 My Lord was as unmannerly a Fellow as I ever saw... He a Noble Man, and punctilio no better. 1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 36. ⁋2 [She] takes the Whole of this Life to consist in understanding Punctilio and Decorum. 1713 Guardian No. 137 (1726) II. 201 My Lord Froth has been so Educated in Punctilio, that he governs himself by a Ceremonial in all the ordinary Occurrences of Life. 1747 S. Richardson Clarissa I. xxxvi. 244 People of birth stood a little too much upon punctilio. 1819 W. Irving Sketch Bk. iv. 309 The preliminaries [of the marriage] had been conducted with proper punctilio. 1897 H. James Spoils of Poynton vi. 68 He wasn't doing anything so vulgar as to make love to her; but there was a kind of punctilio for a man who was engaged. 1943 R.A.F. Jrnl. Aug. 22 All the matchless punctilio of an iron discipline coloured his daily round. 1978 J. Updike Coup (1979) iv. 171 These noodly motifs the French had brought, along with military science, the metric system, and punctilio. 2000 R. Sterling World Food: Spain 215 You are free to have anything you wish and in whatever order. There is no overweening sense of culinary punctilio. †b. Probably: a punctilious person. Obsolete. rare. ΚΠ 1603 S. Harsnett Declar. Popish Impostures 47 A Male-content standing upon his worth like some of our high Puntilios scorned to sort himselfe with any of his ranke. †3. A sharp point; (also) a point marked on a sundial. Obsolete. rare.In quots. with punning reference to sense A. 1. ΘΚΠ the world > time > instruments for measuring time > clock > [noun] > part(s) of > dial or markings on dial tablea1400 dial1440 watch1588 punctilio1596 dial platea1652 recliner1652 dial piece1658 face1659 horary circle1664 night dial1670 horizontal dial1674 hour-stroke1674 hour-plate1690 clock face1764 niche1822 society > communication > indication > marking > a mark > [noun] > dot prickOE punctilio1596 prick-mark1701 pop1718 1596 Vlysses vpon Aiax sig. Cv^v He shall finde the Puntilio of his honour blunted. 1600 B. Jonson Every Man out of his Humor ii. i. sig. Eiii^v To the perfection of Complement (which is the dyall of the thought..) are requir'd these three Projects: the Gnomon, the Puntilio's, and the Superficies: the Superficies, is that we call Place; the Puntilio's, Circumstance; and the Gnomon, Ceremonie. †4. The highest point, the apex (literal and figurative); a high projecting point or tip. Obsolete. rare.In quot. 1650: a high detail on a building (perhaps influenced by sense A. 1b). ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > high position > [noun] > highest point or top > pointed pin?a1475 apex1590 punctilio1601 cone1611 cuspis1646 cusp1647 peak1785 the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > [noun] > state of or advanced condition > highest point prickOE heighta1050 full1340 higha1398 pointc1400 roofa1500 top-castle1548 ruff1549 acmea1568 tip1567 noontide1578 high tide1579 superlative1583 summity1588 spring tide1593 meridian1594 period1595 apogee1600 punctilio1601 high-water mark1602 noon1609 zenith1610 auge1611 apex1624 culmination1633 cumble1640 culmen1646 climax1647 topc1650 cumulus1659 summit1661 perigeum1670 highest1688 consummation1698 stretch1741 high point1787 perihelion1804 summary1831 comble1832 heading up1857 climacteric1870 flashpoint1878 tip-end1885 peak1902 noontime1903 Omega point1981 1601 B. Jonson Fountaine of Selfe-love ii. iii. sig. D3^v He that is yet in..his Course..& hath not toucht the Puntillio or point of hopes. View more context for this quotation 1650 W. Brough Sacred Princ. 1 A three-fold Knowledge of Religion..of Pinacles or Punctilio's, high and curious points in the building. †5. A moment, an instant. Only in punctilio of time. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > time > duration > shortness or brevity in time > [noun] > moment or instant hand-whileOE prinkOE start-while?c1225 twinkling1303 rese?c1335 prick1340 momenta1382 pointa1382 minutea1393 instant1398 braida1400 siquarea1400 twink14.. whip?c1450 movement1490 punct1513 pissing whilea1556 trice1579 turning of a hand1579 wink1585 twinklec1592 semiquaver1602 punto1616 punctilio of time1620 punctum1620 breathing1625 instance1631 tantillation1651 rapc1700 crack1725 turning of a straw1755 pig's whisper1780 jiffy1785 less than no time1788 jiff1797 blinka1813 gliffy1820 handclap1822 glimpsea1824 eyewink1836 thought1836 eye-blink1838 semibreve1845 pop1847 two shakes of a lamb's taila1855 pig's whistle1859 time point1867 New York minute1870 tick1879 mo?1896 second1897 styme1897 split-second1912 split minute1931 no-time1942 sec.1956 1620 Bp. J. King Serm. 24 Mar. 23 Let no man..tye him to canonicall houres, atomes, and puntilio's of time, tempus, tempus, statutum tempus. 1650 W. Charleton tr. J. B. van Helmont in W. James Varieties Relig. Experience (1902) xx. 497 It was then discovered that the porter had expired, near about the same punctilio of time. 1679 C. Ness Distinct Disc. Antichrist 235 To leave the pointing out of this punctilio of time to God only. 1743 W. Crawford Zion's Traveller (ed. 2) lv. 114 What's thy short Punctilio of Time, to an endless Duration? 1794 T. Harwood Serm. iii. 39 In that punctilio of time, in which they should be mindful of reconciling their souls to the Almighty. †B. adj. (attributive). Trifling, petty. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adjective] > small or trifling in amount or degree eathlyc890 littleOE slender1530 foolish1533 triflinga1538 paltry1565 puny?1594 mean1599 minikin1617 unconsiderable1643 inconsiderable1648 punctilio1660 sneaking1703 insignificant1748 flimsy1756 peppercornish1762 peppercorn1791 microscopic1798 pindling1861 midget1879 diddly1893 scroddyc1909 chickenshit1934 1660 J. Milton Notes Serm. M. Griffith sig. B2 Should they who were left sitting, break up, or not dare enact aught..for the punctilio wanting of a full number? 1702 J. Vanbrugh False Friend v. i The injury's too great for a punctilio satisfaction. Compounds General attributive and objective. ΚΠ 1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison VI. v. 16 Yet say I not this for punctilio-sake. 1761 C. Churchill Rosciad 15 The nice punctilio-mongers of this age, The grand minute reformers of the stage. Derivatives † punctilionist n. Obsolete a punctilious person.Apparently an isolated use. ΚΠ 1825 New Monthly Mag. 15 200/1 A compliance..which we could wish to see more frequent with other punctilionists of the drama. † punctilioship n. Obsolete observance of niceties, punctiliousness.Apparently an isolated use. ΚΠ 1714 J. Savage tr. B. Gracián y Morales Art Prudence (ed. 3) 183 Punctilioship is tiresome. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < n.adj.1596
随便看	to look nice to look nine ways to look nine ways at at thrice to look nine ways at once to look nine ways for sunday to look of to look off to look old-fashioned at to look oldfashioned at to look on to look on ahead to look on formerly also to the bright side of to look on formerly also to the bright side of something to look on formerly also to the dark side of to look on formerly also to the dark side of something to look on formerly also to the etc side of to look on formerly also to the etc side of something to look on the black side to look on the bright side to look on the bright side of to look on the bright side of something to look on the dark side to look on the dark side of to look on the dark side of something to look on the etc side