punctualadj.n.

Brit.

/ˈpʌŋ(k)tʃʊəl/,

/ˈpʌŋ(k)tʃ(ᵿ)l/,

/ˈpʌŋ(k)tjʊəl/,

/ˈpʌŋ(k)tjᵿl/, U.S.

/ˈpəŋ(k)(t)ʃ(əw)əl/

Forms: Middle English punctuale, Middle English– punctual, 1500s punctualle, 1500s–1600s punctuall, 1600s puntuall, 1800s puntual (nonstandard), 1900s– punchwill (Irish English (northern)); English regional 1800s– pumptial (chiefly midlands), 1800s– punct'al (Lincolnshire), 1800s– punctial (Devon).

Origin: A borrowing from Latin. Etymon: Latin punctualis.

Etymology: < post-classical Latin punctualis of or relating to a point in space (early 13th cent. in British sources), (of a cauterization) producing or consisting of small pricks or punctures (late 13th cent.), of, relating to, or made by, a point or dot (1517 in the passage translated in quot. 1609 at sense A. 3a) < classical Latin punctus action of pricking or stabbing ( < punct- , past participial stem of pungere punge v. + -tus , suffix forming verbal nouns) + -ālis -al suffix¹. Compare Middle French, French ponctuel (15th cent. as punctuel), Catalan puntual (15th cent.), Spanish puntual (16th cent.), Portuguese pontual (1563), Italian puntuale (a1552).With uses in branch A. II. compare earlier punctually adv.

A. adj.

I. With reference to a physical point.

†1. Surgery. Of a cauterization: producing or consisting of small pricks or punctures. Of a cauterizing or other surgical instrument: having a sharp point. Cf. punctal adj. 1. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > surgery > puncture > [adjective]

punctala1400

punctuala1400

the world > health and disease > healing > medical appliances or equipment > surgical instruments > [adjective] > pointed

punctual?1541

button-pointed1659

lancet-pointed1888

a1400 tr. Lanfranc Sci. Cirurgie (Ashm.) (1894) 271 (MED) Summen maken punctual cauterijs [L. cum..cauterijs punctualibus] in þe maner of a cros vpon dindimum, & þan aftirward heliþ it vp.

?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 145^v Also shuld auaile þe cauterie of þe dindime with 3 fold cauteriez punctualez [?c1425 Paris poyntede; L. punctalibus].

?1541 R. Copland Guy de Chauliac's Questyonary Cyrurgyens iv. sig. Piij The fourth [cautery] is named punctuall, which hath the poynte sclendre and rounde.

1598 A. M. tr. J. Guillemeau Frenche Chirurg. 20 b/1 We may, in steade of the crooked lancet, vse our punctuall instrument.

†2. Of the nature of or resembling a point or speck; small, minute. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > smallness > [adjective] > extremely small

tinea1400

little weea1525

undersmall?1527

little little1542

perpusil1598

tiny1598

punctual1605

minute1606

pygmya1616

exiguous1630

atomical1646

minutulous1651

puncticular1658

arenulous1664

myriate1665

minimal1666

minim1671

infinitesimal1733

minutissim1768

weeny1790

midgety1798

teeny1802

pinpoint1807

atomic1809

homuncular1822

minnow1824

weeshy1825

pinhead1835

finitesimal1836

homoeopathic1838

teeny-weeny1842

teenty1844

teenty-taunty1844

teeny-tiny1849

submolecular1854

teensy1856

super-compact1860

midget1865

ultramicroscopic1870

pilulous1871

teensy-weensy1872

tee-tiny1872

minuscule1878

smitchy1888

eeny-weeny1894

eensy-weensy1904

pygmean1904

ultramicroscopical1904

bitsy1905

bitty1905

totty1906

millimetric1909

miniscule1909

minuscular1911

insectual1912

micro1931

eeny1933

eensy1940

submicrogram1941

submillimetre1954

diddy1963

mini1963

micro-mini1967

1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. E1 Many may be well seene in the passages of gouernement and policie, which are to seeke in little, and punctuall occasions.

1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre iii. xxiv. 154 The infinitenesse of punctuall occurrences.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost viii. 23 This Earth a spot, a graine, An Atom, with the Firmament compar'd And all her numberd Starrs, that seem to rowle Spaces incomprehensible..meerly to officiate light Round this opacous Earth, this punctual spot.

a. Of, relating to, or indicated by a point or dot; of or relating to punctuation. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > writing > written character > punctuation > [adjective]

punctual1609

punctuative1845

punctuational1871

1609 J. Dowland tr. A. Ornithoparchus Micrologus 54 If you finde two Semibreefe Rests after a perfect Breefe, it shall remaine perfect, vnlesse punctuall Diuision [L. diuisio punctualis] come betweene.

1610 J. Donne Pseudo-martyr sig. ¶2^v Those literall and punctuall Errors, which doe not much endanger the sense, I haue left to the discretion and fauour of the Reader.

1818 S. T. Coleridge Gen. Introd. or Treat. on Method 8 in Encycl. Metrop. I His days, months, and years, as the stops and punctual marks in the records of duties performed.

1904 T. Hutchinson in P. B. Shelley Wks. p. iv Amongst the Editor's Notes at the end of the volume the reader will find lists of the punctual variations in the longer poems.

1930 Bookman's Jrnl. 18 xiv. (Second Suppl.) 15 Both books have been entirely reset for this edition, and in addition to many minor alterations, mainly punctual, there is a new preface.

1979 Boundary 2 8 181 The blanc and the hymen (which may stand for the doubleness of all graphic or punctual marks) are syntactical indicators.

b. Geometry. Of or relating to a point in space; of the nature of a point, having position but no spatial extent.

ΚΠ

1722 E. Strother Diss. Ingraftment Small-pox 7 The Contact of Circles is only punctual.

1883 Analyst 10 51 A function of the position of the two lines in relation to the origin as well as to each other, which..may be called the punctual distance of the two lines.

1906 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) A. 205 475 Those concepts of the material world in which the class of objective reals is composed of points, or particles, or both, will be called the punctual concepts.

1934 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 146 933 An electrostatic field due to a system of punctual charges at rest.

2002 Jrnl. Materials Processing Technol. 130–1 525/2 A polygon is expressed by the list of punctual coordinates.

II. With reference to a non-physical point or points.

†a. Exact in every point; precise, accurate. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adjective]

rightOE

namely?c1225

lealc1330

very1338

truec1400

justc1425

exquisite1541

precise?a1560

jump1581

accuratea1599

nice1600

refined1607

punctual1608

press?1611

square1632

exact1645

unerring1665

proper1694

correct1705

pointed1724

prig1776

precisivea1805

as right as a trivet1835

spot on1936

1608 R. Parsons Iudgm. Catholicke English-man ii. 28 So exact, & punctuall is the truth of this Ministers narration.

1620 Horæ Subseciuæ 536 If any do not find so punctual an agreement as hee expects.

1630 W. Davenant Cruell Brother iv. H 2 b Be nimble then: and tell me punctuall truth.

1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ ii. vi. §8 Those predictions..have had their punctuall accomplishment.

1715 L. Theobald tr. Aristophanes Clouds i. i. 10 I cannot be very punctual as to their Names; but they are a very honest sort of People.

1752 ‘H. Beaumont’ Crito 5 I should as soon think of dissecting a Rainbow..as of forming grave and punctual Notions of Beauty.

1831 W. Hamilton in Edinb. Rev. Dec. 479 The punctual accuracy of our statement.

b. Occurring at a precise point in time; exactly or aptly timed; timely. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > [adjective]

timelyOE

tidefula1300

tidya1375

duea1387

timefula1400

seasonablec1412

convenient1415

opportunec1425

seasonedc1440

tempestivous1574

timed1592

ripe1595

well-timed1604

opportuneful1605

mature1608

advantageous1609

opportunous1609

punctual1611

tempestive1611

timeousa1626

time-serving1627

timed1656

tidive?17..

1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. ix. xx. 738/2 Sir William Stanley Lord Chamberlain to King Henry (by whose punctuall reuolt from K. Richard, he had principally achieued the Crowne).

1816 W. Wordsworth Ode Gen. Thanksgiving i Hail, orient Conqueror of gloomy Night!.. Whether thy punctual visitations smite The haughty towers where monarchs dwell; Or [etc.].

1970 B. Brewster tr. L. Althusser & E. Balibar Reading Capital 323 It should be remembered, however, that the epistemological break..can neither be punctual, nor made once and for all: it is to be thought as a ‘continuous break’.

†c. Of a time or date: exact, precise. Obsolete. Cf. sense A. 5d.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > reckoning of time > [adjective] > exact (of time)

punctual1628

1628 H. Burton Tryall Priuate Deuotions sig. I3^v The Author is very skilfull to tell vs the punctuall time of Christs Descent into Hell.

1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre iv. ix. 183 About this time (though we find not the punctuall date thereof) happened the death of Reinoldus Fredericks.

1657 W. Morice Coena quasi Κοινὴ ii. 130 We doe not binde..ourselves to a precise and punctual instant.

1710 C. Wheatley Ch. of Eng. Man's Compan. §23 As to the punctual time when the posture of kneeling [at Holy Communion] first began, it is hard to determine.

1789 L. Womock Result False Princ. iii. 110 Whether God hath not exactly prefixed the punctual time for the conversion of every one to whom he intends his effectual grace?

1826 T. De Quincey Gallery German Prose Classics: Lessing in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Nov. 740/1 Nothing obliges the poet to concentrate his picture into one punctual instant of time.

†d. Of or belonging to a precise location. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > place > [adjective] > belonging to a precise place

punctuala1807

a1807 W. Wordsworth Prelude (1959) viii. 306 The Human nature unto which I felt That I belong'd..Was not a punctual Presence, but a Spirit Living in time and space.

1843 T. De Quincey Ceylon in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Nov. 625/2 Whereas human nature has ever been prone to the superstition of local consecrations..it is the usage of God to hallow such remembrances by removing..all traces of their punctual identities.

e. Grammar. Of action: occurring at a particular and finite point in time. Of aspect or tense: relating to an action or event that occurs at a particular point in time. Sometimes contrasted with durative.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > aspect > [adjective] > other specific aspects

frequentative1534

indefinite1827

iterative1827

semelfactive1827

telic1846

usitative1849

resultative1857

semi-telic1865

permansive1866

constative1901

effective1904

point-action1913

egressive1914

punctual1914

benefactive1943

1904 J. H. Moulton in Expositor Nov. 354 Brugmann distinguishes no less than twenty-three conjugations, or present-stem classes, of which traces remain in Greek... It is seen that the Aorist has a punktuell action—I wish the English punctual were a possible equivalent!—that is, it regards action as a point.]

1914 L. Bloomfield Introd. Study Lang. v. 145 The Slavic languages distinguish..between..durative and iterative..action..and..punctual and terminative action.

1924 O. Jespersen Philos. Gram. xx. 286 It is generally assumed that our Aryan languages had at first no real forms in their verbs for tense-distinctions, but denoted various aspects, perfective, imperfective, punctual, durative, inceptive, or others.

1956 J. Gonda Char. Indo-European Moods iv. 44 The pronounced preference for the aorist may be understood from the predilection for the punctual aspect in formulating prohibitions.

1996 Handbk. N. Amer. Indians XVII. 561 By far the most common form of the punctual suffix is *-ʔ, but the other forms are conditioned by certain verb stems.

a. Minutely observant of or insistent on rule, principle, or obligation; attentive to duty; strict, particular, punctilious, scrupulous. Now rare except as retained implicitly in sense A. 5d.

ΘΚΠ

society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > [adjective] > conscientious

faithfulc1400

good-heartedc1425

rigorousa1500

nice-conscienced1530

scrupulous1542

conscionable1549

punctual1609

conscientious1611

tender-conscienceda1617

conscious1628

1609 R. Parsons Quiet Reckoning App. 678 What shall I say of their manner of life, bare diet, simple apparell, punctuall obedience, strait pouerty, exact chastity, [etc.].

1625 F. Bacon Apophthegmes §294 A gentleman that was punctual of his word.

1668 J. Dryden Of Dramatick Poesie 43 We are not altogether so punctual as the French, in observing the lawes of Comedy.

1735 W. Somervile Chace ii. 373 What these command, Those execute with Speed, and punctual Care.

1763 I. Bickerstaff Love in Village 1 You may perceive Sir, that I yield a punctual observance to the injunctions you laid upon me.

1863 E. C. Gaskell Sylvia's Lovers I. xi. 210 Hester..had known of his careful and punctual ministration to his absent mother's comforts.

1879 J. A. Froude Cæsar iv. 37 His punctual discharge of his duties.

1926 R. H. Tawney Relig. & Rise Capitalism iv. 234 Its note was not the attempt to establish on earth a ‘Kingdom of Christ’, but an ideal of personal character and conduct, to be realized by the punctual discharge both of public and private duties.

†b. Strictly observant of or insistent on ceremony or convention; formal, ceremonious. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > [adjective] > seemly or proper > strictly proper > in detailed points

punctilious1617

punctual1618

1618 G. Wither Wither's Motto in Juvenilia (1633) 560 Stand upon their points of honour so As if their Credit had an overthrow..if in ought they misse Wherein the accomplisht Gallant punctuall is.

1626 J. Mede Let. 11 Feb. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. III. 220 It was one of the most punctual Coronations since the Conquest.

1631 W. Saltonstall Picturæ Loquentes D v [He] gives his words such a punctuall stiffe pronunciation.

1702 Eng. Theophrastus 110 To have to do with a punctual, finical fop.

1725 C. Pitt tr. M. G. Vida Art Poetry ii. 61 So much on punctual niceties they stand.

1866 B. Taylor Serapion in Poems 344 A hard cold man of punctual face.

†c. Meticulously attentive to detail in action or speech; exhaustively methodical or exact; precise, accurate. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > [adjective] > correct in procedure, operation, etc.

just?1556

curiousa1592

exact1597

punctual1620

correct1705

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > truthfulness, veracity > [adjective] > of statement: agreeing with reality

soothlyc888

soothfastc950

truea1250

very1303

strait1340

honesta1400

soothfulc1400

precisec1443

veritable1474

just1490

perfect1523

faithful1529

sincere1555

unmangled1557

truthful?1567

neat1571

oraculous1612

punctual1620

oracular1631

unvamped1639

strict1645

unembroidered1649

ungarbled1721

unexaggerated1770

veracious1777

unfictitious1835

unexaggeratinga1854

uncooked1860

1620 T. Shelton tr. M. de Cervantes Don Quixote ii. l. 332 Cid Hamete, the most punctuall Searcher of the very moats of this true History.

1636 J. Pocklington Sunday no Sabbath (1637) 22 S. Nyssen is more punctuall and cleere: the Lords day (saith he) begins at cockcrowing.

1729 A. Pope Dunciad (new ed.) i. 1 (note) That accurate and punctual Man of Letters.

1845 T. Carlyle in O. Cromwell Lett. & Speeches I. 213 (note) The punctual contemporaneous Collector has named him with his pen.

d. Esp. of a person: exactly observant of the time agreed or appropriate for a meeting, action, etc.; characterized by such observance. Of an action or event: taking place at the agreed or proper time. (Now the usual sense.)Originally with to followed by an expression of time, and thus a spec. use of sense A. 5a.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > punctuality > [adjective]

seelyc1200

critical1617

punctual1632

prepunctual1890

on time1891

punctiliar1906

1632 S. Marmion Hollands Leaguer ii. i. sig. C4^v Agur. What M. Trimalchio. Yo'are punctuall to your houre. Trim. Sir, for your sake, I can dispense with my occasions.

1665 R. Moray Let. 31 Aug. in H. Oldenburg Corr. (1965) II. 490 Mr Hugens is not very punctuall in answering letters as soon as received though sometimes hee does it.

1694 W. Congreve Double-dealer v. i. 70 Mask. Madam you will be ready? Cyn. I will be punctual to the Minute.

1718 C. Cibber Non-juror v. 62 He..does not question in Two Days to compleat it; but desires in the mean Time you will be ready and punctual with the Proemium.

1745 E. Haywood Female Spectator ii. 90 Bellair..is..punctual in the Payment of his Tradesmen.

1785 W. Cowper Task vi. 127 The undeviating and punctual sun.

1816 J. Austen Emma I. i. 15 Every body was punctual, every body in their best looks.

1849 G. G. Foster N.Y. in Slices xxvi. 99 In the morning at nine o'clock, punctual as an eclipse of the moon or a man to whom you have promised money, the Sunday-School bells begin to ring from a thousand steeples.

1892 Democratic Standard (Coshocton, Ohio) 15 Apr. 3/5 The men say that..when left to themselves they never have been in time for the train as passengers, and will not be more punctual as pointswomen.

1939 D. Thomas Let. 29 Sept. (1987) 418 Caitlin..promises her personal supervision of the suit. And its neatly-packed, punctual return.

1954 T. S. Eliot Confidential Clerk i. 7 Ah, there you are, Eggerson! Punctual as always.

1997 Rail 12 Mar. 70/2 We must never lose sight of the basics—clean, punctual, reliable trains at sensible prices.

†6.

a. Bearing directly on the point; to the purpose, apposite, apt. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adjective] > apt or apposite

happya1400

germanea1525

conferent?1541

well-applieda1586

nicking1598

apt1600

punctual1609

apposite1621

collineant1638

pat1647

apropos1691

felicitous1789

treffend1850

bang on1936

1609 H. Leech & R. Parsons Dutifull Consider. Proofe Relig. iii. 120 The wordes..are..so substantiall, punctual, and material.

1614 F. Bacon Charge touching Duels 16 It is so punctuall, and hath such reference and respect vnto the receyued conceipts.

1629 W. Prynne Church of Englands Old Antithesis 59 Nothing can be more full and punctuall to our present Conclusion.

1642 D. Rogers Naaman 347 If a man would compile a story..for the demonstration of Providence, could he frame a more punctuall one?

b. Clearly defined or expressed; explicit, definite. Obsolete (archaic in later use).

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > [adjective] > definite or determinate

firm1377

determinatec1386

certain1393

determinablec1400

precisec1443

finite1493

well-defined1551

definite1553

determined1570

set1594

perfixed1601

formed1605

punctual1615

well-marked1620

definitive1624

determinated1635

determinativea1676

clear-cut1843

1615 T. Adams Spirituall Nauigator 33 in Blacke Devill The sea is full of Monsters. Innumerable, and almost incredible are the relations of Trauellers in this punctuall demonstration.

1624 R. Montagu Gagg for New Gospell? Pref. Saint Augustine is punctuall..that the seuerall Latine Translations in his time, could not be numbred.

1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 179 A plain and punctual testimony.

1862 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia III. xii. i. 169 The Polack King..left his Dominions shared by punctual bequest among his five sons.

†7. Of an account, description, argument, etc.: dealing with a matter point by point; minute, detailed. Often overlapping with sense A. 4a. Obsolete.In quot. 1611 applied to the person giving such a description: cf. sense A. 5c.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > [adjective] > going into detail > detailed

specialc1449

particular1548

punctual1611

strict1645

syllabical1647

circumstantiate1649

circumstantiated1654

detaileda1779

intimate1817

inventorial1830

particularized1860

fine-grained1894

pinpoint1960

1611 J. Donne Anat. World sig. B4^v So the worlds carcasse would not last, if I Were punctuall in this Anatomy.

1623 (title) The fatall vesper, or a true and punctuall relation of that lamentable and fearefull accident, hapning on Sunday [etc.].

1628 P. Smart (title) A Sermon..containing not onely an Historical relation of all those severall Popish Ceremonies and practises.., But likewise a punctual confutation of them.

1705 Boston News-let. 5 Nov. 2/1 In our Last we gave you a very punctual Relation, of a matter that appear'd very remarkable.

1772 T. Nugent tr. J. F. de Isla Hist. Friar Gerund II. iv. v. 108 Having..given a punctual topographical description of Anthony Zote's house.

B. n.

†1. A minute point of detail, a subtlety. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > misleading argument, sophistry > excessive subtlety, hair-splitting > trivial argument, quibble > [noun]

quiddity1539

quibc1540

quibibec1540

quirk1565

quillity1573

quid1576

quillet1576

quipa1592

quiddit1592

quidlit1598

quibibble1606

punctual1610

quidlibet1611

catasophistrya1614

quibbling1633

Scotism1645

quibble1650

thingum1672

quoddity1682

scruple1713

baffle1783

nit1982

1610 G. Fletcher Christs Victorie 50 Let the thorny schools these punctualls Of wills, all good, or bad, or neuter diss.

2. Grammar. A punctual aspect or tense.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > aspect > [noun] > punctual aspect

punctual1971

1971 Archivum Linguisticum 2 113 Gonda makes some criticism of the general statement..that VI class presents are ‘punctuals’, sometimes used to express punctual action, sometimes to describe actions indifferent to duration, but which sometimes can be thought of as punctual.

1992 Internat. Rev. Appl. Linguistics in Lang. Teaching May 1992 XXX/2. 111 By ‘meaning’ is meant primarily relational meanings such as possession, agent, negative, plural, definite, punctual, etc., which are encoded through morphology and syntax..in languages.

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

单词	punctual
释义	punctualadj.n. Brit. /ˈpʌŋ(k)tʃʊəl/, /ˈpʌŋ(k)tʃ(ᵿ)l/, /ˈpʌŋ(k)tjʊəl/, /ˈpʌŋ(k)tjᵿl/, U.S. /ˈpəŋ(k)(t)ʃ(əw)əl/ Forms: Middle English punctuale, Middle English– punctual, 1500s punctualle, 1500s–1600s punctuall, 1600s puntuall, 1800s puntual (nonstandard), 1900s– punchwill (Irish English (northern)); English regional 1800s– pumptial (chiefly midlands), 1800s– punct'al (Lincolnshire), 1800s– punctial (Devon). Origin: A borrowing from Latin. Etymon: Latin punctualis. Etymology: < post-classical Latin punctualis of or relating to a point in space (early 13th cent. in British sources), (of a cauterization) producing or consisting of small pricks or punctures (late 13th cent.), of, relating to, or made by, a point or dot (1517 in the passage translated in quot. 1609 at sense A. 3a) < classical Latin punctus action of pricking or stabbing ( < punct- , past participial stem of pungere punge v. + -tus , suffix forming verbal nouns) + -ālis -al suffix¹. Compare Middle French, French ponctuel (15th cent. as punctuel), Catalan puntual (15th cent.), Spanish puntual (16th cent.), Portuguese pontual (1563), Italian puntuale (a1552).With uses in branch A. II. compare earlier punctually adv. A. adj. I. With reference to a physical point. †1. Surgery. Of a cauterization: producing or consisting of small pricks or punctures. Of a cauterizing or other surgical instrument: having a sharp point. Cf. punctal adj. 1. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > surgery > puncture > [adjective] punctala1400 punctuala1400 the world > health and disease > healing > medical appliances or equipment > surgical instruments > [adjective] > pointed punctual?1541 button-pointed1659 lancet-pointed1888 a1400 tr. Lanfranc Sci. Cirurgie (Ashm.) (1894) 271 (MED) Summen maken punctual cauterijs [L. cum..cauterijs punctualibus] in þe maner of a cros vpon dindimum, & þan aftirward heliþ it vp. ?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 145^v Also shuld auaile þe cauterie of þe dindime with 3 fold cauteriez punctualez [?c1425 Paris poyntede; L. punctalibus]. ?1541 R. Copland Guy de Chauliac's Questyonary Cyrurgyens iv. sig. Piij The fourth [cautery] is named punctuall, which hath the poynte sclendre and rounde. 1598 A. M. tr. J. Guillemeau Frenche Chirurg. 20 b/1 We may, in steade of the crooked lancet, vse our punctuall instrument. †2. Of the nature of or resembling a point or speck; small, minute. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > smallness > [adjective] > extremely small tinea1400 little weea1525 undersmall?1527 little little1542 perpusil1598 tiny1598 punctual1605 minute1606 pygmya1616 exiguous1630 atomical1646 minutulous1651 puncticular1658 arenulous1664 myriate1665 minimal1666 minim1671 infinitesimal1733 minutissim1768 weeny1790 midgety1798 teeny1802 pinpoint1807 atomic1809 homuncular1822 minnow1824 weeshy1825 pinhead1835 finitesimal1836 homoeopathic1838 teeny-weeny1842 teenty1844 teenty-taunty1844 teeny-tiny1849 submolecular1854 teensy1856 super-compact1860 midget1865 ultramicroscopic1870 pilulous1871 teensy-weensy1872 tee-tiny1872 minuscule1878 smitchy1888 eeny-weeny1894 eensy-weensy1904 pygmean1904 ultramicroscopical1904 bitsy1905 bitty1905 totty1906 millimetric1909 miniscule1909 minuscular1911 insectual1912 micro1931 eeny1933 eensy1940 submicrogram1941 submillimetre1954 diddy1963 mini1963 micro-mini1967 1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. E1 Many may be well seene in the passages of gouernement and policie, which are to seeke in little, and punctuall occasions. View more context for this quotation 1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre iii. xxiv. 154 The infinitenesse of punctuall occurrences. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost viii. 23 This Earth a spot, a graine, An Atom, with the Firmament compar'd And all her numberd Starrs, that seem to rowle Spaces incomprehensible..meerly to officiate light Round this opacous Earth, this punctual spot. View more context for this quotation 3. a. Of, relating to, or indicated by a point or dot; of or relating to punctuation. Now rare. ΘΚΠ society > communication > writing > written character > punctuation > [adjective] punctual1609 punctuative1845 punctuational1871 1609 J. Dowland tr. A. Ornithoparchus Micrologus 54 If you finde two Semibreefe Rests after a perfect Breefe, it shall remaine perfect, vnlesse punctuall Diuision [L. diuisio punctualis] come betweene. 1610 J. Donne Pseudo-martyr sig. ¶2^v Those literall and punctuall Errors, which doe not much endanger the sense, I haue left to the discretion and fauour of the Reader. 1818 S. T. Coleridge Gen. Introd. or Treat. on Method 8 in Encycl. Metrop. I His days, months, and years, as the stops and punctual marks in the records of duties performed. 1904 T. Hutchinson in P. B. Shelley Wks. p. iv Amongst the Editor's Notes at the end of the volume the reader will find lists of the punctual variations in the longer poems. 1930 Bookman's Jrnl. 18 xiv. (Second Suppl.) 15 Both books have been entirely reset for this edition, and in addition to many minor alterations, mainly punctual, there is a new preface. 1979 Boundary 2 8 181 The blanc and the hymen (which may stand for the doubleness of all graphic or punctual marks) are syntactical indicators. b. Geometry. Of or relating to a point in space; of the nature of a point, having position but no spatial extent. ΚΠ 1722 E. Strother Diss. Ingraftment Small-pox 7 The Contact of Circles is only punctual. 1883 Analyst 10 51 A function of the position of the two lines in relation to the origin as well as to each other, which..may be called the punctual distance of the two lines. 1906 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) A. 205 475 Those concepts of the material world in which the class of objective reals is composed of points, or particles, or both, will be called the punctual concepts. 1934 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 146 933 An electrostatic field due to a system of punctual charges at rest. 2002 Jrnl. Materials Processing Technol. 130–1 525/2 A polygon is expressed by the list of punctual coordinates. II. With reference to a non-physical point or points. 4. †a. Exact in every point; precise, accurate. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adjective] rightOE namely?c1225 lealc1330 very1338 truec1400 justc1425 exquisite1541 precise?a1560 jump1581 accuratea1599 nice1600 refined1607 punctual1608 press?1611 square1632 exact1645 unerring1665 proper1694 correct1705 pointed1724 prig1776 precisivea1805 as right as a trivet1835 spot on1936 1608 R. Parsons Iudgm. Catholicke English-man ii. 28 So exact, & punctuall is the truth of this Ministers narration. 1620 Horæ Subseciuæ 536 If any do not find so punctual an agreement as hee expects. 1630 W. Davenant Cruell Brother iv. H 2 b Be nimble then: and tell me punctuall truth. 1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ ii. vi. §8 Those predictions..have had their punctuall accomplishment. 1715 L. Theobald tr. Aristophanes Clouds i. i. 10 I cannot be very punctual as to their Names; but they are a very honest sort of People. 1752 ‘H. Beaumont’ Crito 5 I should as soon think of dissecting a Rainbow..as of forming grave and punctual Notions of Beauty. 1831 W. Hamilton in Edinb. Rev. Dec. 479 The punctual accuracy of our statement. b. Occurring at a precise point in time; exactly or aptly timed; timely. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > [adjective] timelyOE tidefula1300 tidya1375 duea1387 timefula1400 seasonablec1412 convenient1415 opportunec1425 seasonedc1440 tempestivous1574 timed1592 ripe1595 well-timed1604 opportuneful1605 mature1608 advantageous1609 opportunous1609 punctual1611 tempestive1611 timeousa1626 time-serving1627 timed1656 tidive?17.. 1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. ix. xx. 738/2 Sir William Stanley Lord Chamberlain to King Henry (by whose punctuall reuolt from K. Richard, he had principally achieued the Crowne). 1816 W. Wordsworth Ode Gen. Thanksgiving i Hail, orient Conqueror of gloomy Night!.. Whether thy punctual visitations smite The haughty towers where monarchs dwell; Or [etc.]. 1970 B. Brewster tr. L. Althusser & E. Balibar Reading Capital 323 It should be remembered, however, that the epistemological break..can neither be punctual, nor made once and for all: it is to be thought as a ‘continuous break’. †c. Of a time or date: exact, precise. Obsolete. Cf. sense A. 5d. ΘΚΠ the world > time > reckoning of time > [adjective] > exact (of time) punctual1628 1628 H. Burton Tryall Priuate Deuotions sig. I3^v The Author is very skilfull to tell vs the punctuall time of Christs Descent into Hell. 1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre iv. ix. 183 About this time (though we find not the punctuall date thereof) happened the death of Reinoldus Fredericks. 1657 W. Morice Coena quasi Κοινὴ ii. 130 We doe not binde..ourselves to a precise and punctual instant. 1710 C. Wheatley Ch. of Eng. Man's Compan. §23 As to the punctual time when the posture of kneeling [at Holy Communion] first began, it is hard to determine. 1789 L. Womock Result False Princ. iii. 110 Whether God hath not exactly prefixed the punctual time for the conversion of every one to whom he intends his effectual grace? 1826 T. De Quincey Gallery German Prose Classics: Lessing in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Nov. 740/1 Nothing obliges the poet to concentrate his picture into one punctual instant of time. †d. Of or belonging to a precise location. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > space > place > [adjective] > belonging to a precise place punctuala1807 a1807 W. Wordsworth Prelude (1959) viii. 306 The Human nature unto which I felt That I belong'd..Was not a punctual Presence, but a Spirit Living in time and space. 1843 T. De Quincey Ceylon in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Nov. 625/2 Whereas human nature has ever been prone to the superstition of local consecrations..it is the usage of God to hallow such remembrances by removing..all traces of their punctual identities. e. Grammar. Of action: occurring at a particular and finite point in time. Of aspect or tense: relating to an action or event that occurs at a particular point in time. Sometimes contrasted with durative. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > aspect > [adjective] > other specific aspects frequentative1534 indefinite1827 iterative1827 semelfactive1827 telic1846 usitative1849 resultative1857 semi-telic1865 permansive1866 constative1901 effective1904 point-action1913 egressive1914 punctual1914 benefactive1943 1904 J. H. Moulton in Expositor Nov. 354 Brugmann distinguishes no less than twenty-three conjugations, or present-stem classes, of which traces remain in Greek... It is seen that the Aorist has a punktuell action—I wish the English punctual were a possible equivalent!—that is, it regards action as a point.] 1914 L. Bloomfield Introd. Study Lang. v. 145 The Slavic languages distinguish..between..durative and iterative..action..and..punctual and terminative action. 1924 O. Jespersen Philos. Gram. xx. 286 It is generally assumed that our Aryan languages had at first no real forms in their verbs for tense-distinctions, but denoted various aspects, perfective, imperfective, punctual, durative, inceptive, or others. 1956 J. Gonda Char. Indo-European Moods iv. 44 The pronounced preference for the aorist may be understood from the predilection for the punctual aspect in formulating prohibitions. 1996 Handbk. N. Amer. Indians XVII. 561 By far the most common form of the punctual suffix is -ʔ, but the other forms are conditioned by certain verb stems. 5. a. Minutely observant of or insistent on rule, principle, or obligation; attentive to duty; strict, particular, punctilious, scrupulous. Now rare* except as retained implicitly in sense A. 5d. ΘΚΠ society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > [adjective] > conscientious faithfulc1400 good-heartedc1425 rigorousa1500 nice-conscienced1530 scrupulous1542 conscionable1549 punctual1609 conscientious1611 tender-conscienceda1617 conscious1628 1609 R. Parsons Quiet Reckoning App. 678 What shall I say of their manner of life, bare diet, simple apparell, punctuall obedience, strait pouerty, exact chastity, [etc.]. 1625 F. Bacon Apophthegmes §294 A gentleman that was punctual of his word. 1668 J. Dryden Of Dramatick Poesie 43 We are not altogether so punctual as the French, in observing the lawes of Comedy. 1735 W. Somervile Chace ii. 373 What these command, Those execute with Speed, and punctual Care. 1763 I. Bickerstaff Love in Village 1 You may perceive Sir, that I yield a punctual observance to the injunctions you laid upon me. 1863 E. C. Gaskell Sylvia's Lovers I. xi. 210 Hester..had known of his careful and punctual ministration to his absent mother's comforts. 1879 J. A. Froude Cæsar iv. 37 His punctual discharge of his duties. 1926 R. H. Tawney Relig. & Rise Capitalism iv. 234 Its note was not the attempt to establish on earth a ‘Kingdom of Christ’, but an ideal of personal character and conduct, to be realized by the punctual discharge both of public and private duties. †b. Strictly observant of or insistent on ceremony or convention; formal, ceremonious. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > [adjective] > seemly or proper > strictly proper > in detailed points punctilious1617 punctual1618 1618 G. Wither Wither's Motto in Juvenilia (1633) 560 Stand upon their points of honour so As if their Credit had an overthrow..if in ought they misse Wherein the accomplisht Gallant punctuall is. 1626 J. Mede Let. 11 Feb. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. III. 220 It was one of the most punctual Coronations since the Conquest. 1631 W. Saltonstall Picturæ Loquentes D v [He] gives his words such a punctuall stiffe pronunciation. 1702 Eng. Theophrastus 110 To have to do with a punctual, finical fop. 1725 C. Pitt tr. M. G. Vida Art Poetry ii. 61 So much on punctual niceties they stand. 1866 B. Taylor Serapion in Poems 344 A hard cold man of punctual face. †c. Meticulously attentive to detail in action or speech; exhaustively methodical or exact; precise, accurate. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > [adjective] > correct in procedure, operation, etc. just?1556 curiousa1592 exact1597 punctual1620 correct1705 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > truthfulness, veracity > [adjective] > of statement: agreeing with reality soothlyc888 soothfastc950 truea1250 very1303 strait1340 honesta1400 soothfulc1400 precisec1443 veritable1474 just1490 perfect1523 faithful1529 sincere1555 unmangled1557 truthful?1567 neat1571 oraculous1612 punctual1620 oracular1631 unvamped1639 strict1645 unembroidered1649 ungarbled1721 unexaggerated1770 veracious1777 unfictitious1835 unexaggeratinga1854 uncooked1860 1620 T. Shelton tr. M. de Cervantes Don Quixote ii. l. 332 Cid Hamete, the most punctuall Searcher of the very moats of this true History. 1636 J. Pocklington Sunday no Sabbath (1637) 22 S. Nyssen is more punctuall and cleere: the Lords day (saith he) begins at cockcrowing. 1729 A. Pope Dunciad (new ed.) i. 1 (note) That accurate and punctual Man of Letters. 1845 T. Carlyle in O. Cromwell Lett. & Speeches I. 213 (note) The punctual contemporaneous Collector has named him with his pen. d. Esp. of a person: exactly observant of the time agreed or appropriate for a meeting, action, etc.; characterized by such observance. Of an action or event: taking place at the agreed or proper time. (Now the usual sense.)Originally with to followed by an expression of time, and thus a spec. use of sense A. 5a. ΘΚΠ the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > punctuality > [adjective] seelyc1200 critical1617 punctual1632 prepunctual1890 on time1891 punctiliar1906 1632 S. Marmion Hollands Leaguer ii. i. sig. C4^v Agur. What M. Trimalchio. Yo'are punctuall to your houre. Trim. Sir, for your sake, I can dispense with my occasions. 1665 R. Moray Let. 31 Aug. in H. Oldenburg Corr. (1965) II. 490 Mr Hugens is not very punctuall in answering letters as soon as received though sometimes hee does it. 1694 W. Congreve Double-dealer v. i. 70 Mask. Madam you will be ready? Cyn. I will be punctual to the Minute. 1718 C. Cibber Non-juror v. 62 He..does not question in Two Days to compleat it; but desires in the mean Time you will be ready and punctual with the Proemium. 1745 E. Haywood Female Spectator ii. 90 Bellair..is..punctual in the Payment of his Tradesmen. 1785 W. Cowper Task vi. 127 The undeviating and punctual sun. 1816 J. Austen Emma I. i. 15 Every body was punctual, every body in their best looks. View more context for this quotation 1849 G. G. Foster N.Y. in Slices xxvi. 99 In the morning at nine o'clock, punctual as an eclipse of the moon or a man to whom you have promised money, the Sunday-School bells begin to ring from a thousand steeples. 1892 Democratic Standard (Coshocton, Ohio) 15 Apr. 3/5 The men say that..when left to themselves they never have been in time for the train as passengers, and will not be more punctual as pointswomen. 1939 D. Thomas Let. 29 Sept. (1987) 418 Caitlin..promises her personal supervision of the suit. And its neatly-packed, punctual return. 1954 T. S. Eliot Confidential Clerk i. 7 Ah, there you are, Eggerson! Punctual as always. 1997 Rail 12 Mar. 70/2 We must never lose sight of the basics—clean, punctual, reliable trains at sensible prices. †6. a. Bearing directly on the point; to the purpose, apposite, apt. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adjective] > apt or apposite happya1400 germanea1525 conferent?1541 well-applieda1586 nicking1598 apt1600 punctual1609 apposite1621 collineant1638 pat1647 apropos1691 felicitous1789 treffend1850 bang on1936 1609 H. Leech & R. Parsons Dutifull Consider. Proofe Relig. iii. 120 The wordes..are..so substantiall, punctual, and material. 1614 F. Bacon Charge touching Duels 16 It is so punctuall, and hath such reference and respect vnto the receyued conceipts. 1629 W. Prynne Church of Englands Old Antithesis 59 Nothing can be more full and punctuall to our present Conclusion. 1642 D. Rogers Naaman 347 If a man would compile a story..for the demonstration of Providence, could he frame a more punctuall one? b. Clearly defined or expressed; explicit, definite. Obsolete (archaic in later use). ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > [adjective] > definite or determinate firm1377 determinatec1386 certain1393 determinablec1400 precisec1443 finite1493 well-defined1551 definite1553 determined1570 set1594 perfixed1601 formed1605 punctual1615 well-marked1620 definitive1624 determinated1635 determinativea1676 clear-cut1843 1615 T. Adams Spirituall Nauigator 33 in Blacke Devill The sea is full of Monsters. Innumerable, and almost incredible are the relations of Trauellers in this punctuall demonstration. 1624 R. Montagu Gagg for New Gospell? Pref. Saint Augustine is punctuall..that the seuerall Latine Translations in his time, could not be numbred. 1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 179 A plain and punctual testimony. 1862 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia III. xii. i. 169 The Polack King..left his Dominions shared by punctual bequest among his five sons. †7. Of an account, description, argument, etc.: dealing with a matter point by point; minute, detailed. Often overlapping with sense A. 4a. Obsolete.In quot. 1611 applied to the person giving such a description: cf. sense A. 5c. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > [adjective] > going into detail > detailed specialc1449 particular1548 punctual1611 strict1645 syllabical1647 circumstantiate1649 circumstantiated1654 detaileda1779 intimate1817 inventorial1830 particularized1860 fine-grained1894 pinpoint1960 1611 J. Donne Anat. World sig. B4^v So the worlds carcasse would not last, if I Were punctuall in this Anatomy. 1623 (title) The fatall vesper, or a true and punctuall relation of that lamentable and fearefull accident, hapning on Sunday [etc.]. 1628 P. Smart (title) A Sermon..containing not onely an Historical relation of all those severall Popish Ceremonies and practises.., But likewise a punctual confutation of them. 1705 Boston News-let. 5 Nov. 2/1 In our Last we gave you a very punctual Relation, of a matter that appear'd very remarkable. 1772 T. Nugent tr. J. F. de Isla Hist. Friar Gerund II. iv. v. 108 Having..given a punctual topographical description of Anthony Zote's house. B. n. †1. A minute point of detail, a subtlety. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > misleading argument, sophistry > excessive subtlety, hair-splitting > trivial argument, quibble > [noun] quiddity1539 quibc1540 quibibec1540 quirk1565 quillity1573 quid1576 quillet1576 quipa1592 quiddit1592 quidlit1598 quibibble1606 punctual1610 quidlibet1611 catasophistrya1614 quibbling1633 Scotism1645 quibble1650 thingum1672 quoddity1682 scruple1713 baffle1783 nit1982 1610 G. Fletcher Christs Victorie 50 Let the thorny schools these punctualls Of wills, all good, or bad, or neuter diss. 2. Grammar. A punctual aspect or tense. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > aspect > [noun] > punctual aspect punctual1971 1971 Archivum Linguisticum 2 113 Gonda makes some criticism of the general statement..that VI class presents are ‘punctuals’, sometimes used to express punctual action, sometimes to describe actions indifferent to duration, but which sometimes can be thought of as punctual. 1992 Internat. Rev. Appl. Linguistics in Lang. Teaching May 1992 XXX/2. 111 By ‘meaning’ is meant primarily relational meanings such as possession, agent, negative, plural, definite, punctual, etc., which are encoded through morphology and syntax..in languages. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < adj.n.a1400
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