juncture
UK: ˈdʒʌŋk.tʃə | US: ˈdʒʌŋk.tʃɚ
n. a critical point in time or a decisive moment
n. a place where things join; a junction
n. (linguistics) a pause or transition in speech
juncture = junct<join> + ure<noun suffix>
- junct (from Latin iunctus, past participle of iungere "to join")
- ure (a noun-forming suffix indicating action, result, or state, from Latin -ura)
Etymology Origin:
The word "juncture" traces back to Latin iunctura, meaning "a joining" or "a connection." It entered Middle English via Old French jointure, retaining the core idea of a point where things come together. Over time, it evolved to signify both physical junctions (e.g., roads) and abstract "joining points" (e.g., critical moments). The linguistic sense reflects transitions between speech sounds.
At this juncture, we must decide whether to proceed or abandon the project.
The city is a major juncture for rail and highway networks.
The speaker paused at the juncture between clauses.
The treaty marked a historic juncture in diplomatic relations.
The team faced a difficult juncture after losing their lead investor.