English
punctilio
Punctilio may come from Italian puntiglio ‘obstinacy’.
- Italianc. 1300–presentpuntiglio‘obstinacy’uncertain
- Englishearliest quotation 1768punctilio
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history uncertain.
Lineage
- Italianc. 1300–presentpuntiglio‘obstinacy’uncertain
- Englishearliest quotation 1768punctilio
Earliest quotation: 1768, Mr. Yorick pseudonym; Laurence Sterne, A Sentimental Journey through France and Italy: “[…]–but, a-propos, ſaid he—Shakeſpear is full of great things—He…”
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *pewǵ- ‘prick, punch’
fuck, fist, pivot, repugnant, pygmy, impugn, pugnacious, 39 more
through Proto-Italic *pungō ‘to prick, sting’
through Latin pungō ‘to prick, puncture’
punch, poignant, pointe, pungent, punctuate, pugilist, compunction, 19 more
through Latin pūnctum ‘point’
Today it means
noun A fine point in exactness of conduct, ceremony, etiquette or procedure.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Italian puntiglio / punctilio