punctuativeadj.
/ˈpʌŋ(k)tʃʊətɪv/, /ˈpʌŋ(k)tjʊətɪv/, U.S. /ˈpəŋ(k)(t)ʃəˌweɪdɪv/ Of, relating to, or serving as punctuation in text or speech.
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society > communication > writing > written character > punctuation > [adjective]
punctual1609
punctuative1845
punctuational1871
1845 J. Rush Philos. Human Voice (ed. 3) vii. 137 The nature, or, if I may so call it, the punctuative meaning of this Feeble cadence is such, that the ear allows a speaker either to pause or to proceed in his discourse, after it.
1874 M. Collins Transmigr. II. ii. 45 The note of interrogation is unknown in their punctuative system.
1883 Q. Rev. Jan. 187 The punctuative particles..giving in words the force of the comma, the colon, and the period.
1930 Jrnl. Higher Educ. 1 502 The high rank assigned to punctuation in some of the studies of errors..has been influenced by the marker's lack of liberality in recognizing optional punctuative uses.
1960 Speculum 35 386 The variants of the Vicenza MS..and of the Paris MS, if more than orthographic or punctuative, will be listed below.
1998 G. C. Schoolfield Hist. Finland's Lit. x. 689 The verbal and punctuative wit is variously charming or annoying.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1845