See Also: punctual(dictionary)
punctual(dictionary)

punctual (iou)



punctual adjective. LME.
[medieval Latin punctualis, from Latin punctum POINT noun1: see -UAL.]
I. Surgery. Of the nature of a sharp point or puncture; sharp-pointed. LME.
Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of punctuation. E17.
Of the nature of or resembling a point or speck; tiny, trifling. E-M17.
Of or relating to a point in space. rare. E19.
II.
Punctilious. Now arch. rare. L16.
(Now the predominant sense.) Exactly observant of an appointed time; marked by observance of appointed times; on time, neither early nor late. L17.
W. Congreve I will be punctual to the minute. T. S. Eliot Ah, there you are, Eggerson! Punctual as always. N. Monsarrat It was just after half past one: lunch had been punctual.
III.
a. Bearing directly on the point; apposite, apt. E-M17.
b. Express, explicit. arch. E17.
a. Exact in every point; precise, accurate. Now arch. rare. E17.
b. Precisely or aptly timed, timely. Now arch. rare. E17.
c. Grammar. (Of action) occurring at a point in time; (of aspect or tense) relating to something that occurs at a point in time. E20.
Minute, detailed, circumstantial. E17-L18.
punctually adverb L16.
punctualness noun (now rare) E17.