punctilio

[ puhngk-til-ee-oh ]

/ pʌŋkˈtɪl iˌoʊ /

a fine point, particular, or detail, as of conduct, ceremony, or procedure.

strictness or exactness in the observance of formalities or amenities.

Origin of punctilio

1590–1600; alteration of Italian puntiglio < Spanish puntillo, diminutive of punto < Latin pūnctum point

There was thus an artificial element in his punctilio that at times might almost raise a smile.

Memoir of Fleeming Jenkin |Robert Louis Stevenson
Punctilio, pungk-til′yo, n. a nice point in behaviour or ceremony: nicety in forms: exact observance of forms.

Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) |Various
Mr. Fenellan repeated, in a pause, 'Punctilio,' and not emphatically.

One of Our Conquerors, Complete |George Meredith
My superintendents are indulgent; but to a punctilio they demand a due observance of decorum and propriety of conduct.

The Romance of Old New England Rooftrees |Mary Caroline Crawford

But I will not stand on punctilio when it is a question of trying to save a Penreath of Twelvetrees from the gallows.

The Shrieking Pit |Arthur J. Rees

punctilio

/ (pʌŋkˈtɪlɪˌəʊ) /

strict attention to minute points of etiquette

a petty formality or fine point of etiquette

C16: from Italian puntiglio small point, from punto point, from Latin punctum point