punctuate
|punc-tu-ate|
🇺🇸
/ˈpʌŋktʃuːeɪt/
🇬🇧
/ˈpʌŋktʃueɪt/
mark or interrupt with points/breaks
Etymology
'punctuate' originates from Latin, specifically from the verb 'punctuare' / the past participle 'punctuatus', where the root 'punct-' came from Latin 'punctum' meaning 'point' (from 'pungere' 'to prick').
'punctuate' entered English via Medieval/Late Latin and Old French forms (e.g. Medieval Latin 'punctuare', Old French 'ponctuer') and developed into the modern English 'punctuate' through Middle English usage.
Initially it meant 'to mark with points' or 'to prick/point', but over time it evolved to mean specifically 'to insert punctuation marks' in writing and figuratively 'to interrupt or emphasize'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to insert punctuation marks into written text (e.g., commas, periods, question marks).
Editors punctuate the manuscript before publication.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Verb 2
to interrupt or break up (something) at intervals; to intersperse (often used with 'with').
People often punctuate speeches with applause.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Verb 3
to emphasize or give force to (a point or event) by adding something noticeable.
He tends to punctuate his points with dramatic gestures.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/12/17 01:08