punc
ti
lio
Plural
punctilios
1
the act of firmly respecting polite behavior in society
- The hostess displayed her punctilio by greeting each guest personally and ensuring their comfort throughout the evening.
- His punctilio in addressing everyone by their correct titles earned him admiration at the formal dinner.
- The senator’s punctilio in adhering to parliamentary procedures demonstrated her respect for the institution.
- The diplomat’s punctilio was evident in the way he carefully followed every protocol during the international summit.
- The butler’s punctilio in following every rule of etiquette made him the epitome of professionalism.
2
a small or precise detail that is important in conduct, procedure, or ceremonial practices
- During the knight’s dubbing ceremony, each punctilio was followed, including the precise angle of the sword tap on his shoulder.
- At the monastery, the monks adhered to every punctilio of their daily prayers, including the exact timing of their chants.
- The captain ensured the punctilio of lowering the flag at sunset was observed without fail.
- In his military career, punctilio was key, as every order and detail had to be executed flawlessly.
- The guest of honor’s arrival was marked by the punctilio of the event’s organizers, ensuring every detail was perfect.