punctuation

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun something that makes repeated and regular interruptions or divisions
  2. noun the marks used to clarify meaning by indicating separation of words into sentences and clauses and phrases
  3. noun the use of certain marks to clarify meaning of written material by grouping words grammatically into sentences and clauses and phrases

Etymology

Borrowed from Medieval Latin punctuātiō (“a marking with points, a writing, agreement”), from punctuō (“to mark with points, settle”). Morphologically, punctuate + -ion.

In classic literature

A single word — an entire dictionary opens.

Type a word, a sentence, a book title, or a link to an English article. WordNet and the Classics answer.

Try

A library of classics · a vault of words · instant etymology & meaning

Continue reading