punctilious
UK: pʌŋkˈtɪliəs | US: pʌŋkˈtɪliəs
adj. showing great attention to detail or correct behavior
adj. excessively careful about minor details or rules
punctilious = punct<point> + ilious<adjective suffix>
- punct: From Latin punctum ("point"), reflecting precision or attention to small details.
- ilious: An adjectival suffix derived via French -ilieux, indicating a quality or tendency (e.g., "rebellious").
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin punctum ("point"), emphasizing literal or metaphorical precision. Combined with the suffix -ilious, it evolved in 17th-century English to describe someone overly meticulous, as if guided by an invisible "point" of correctness. The term originally mocked excessive formality but later neutralized to denote thoroughness.
The punctilious editor corrected every comma and hyphen in the manuscript.
His punctilious adherence to etiquette made him stand out at formal events.
She was punctilious about deadlines, never submitting work late.
The architect’s punctilious plans left no room for error.
Critics praised the film’s punctilious recreation of historical costumes.