punctuate

[ puhngk-choo-eyt ]
/ ˈpʌŋk tʃuˌeɪt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR punctuate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), punc·tu·at·ed, punc·tu·at·ing.

to mark or divide (something written) with punctuation marks in order to make the meaning clear.
to interrupt at intervals: Cheers punctuated the mayor's speech.
to give emphasis or force to; emphasize; underline.

verb (used without object), punc·tu·at·ed, punc·tu·at·ing.

to insert or use marks of punctuation.

Origin of punctuate

1625–35; < Medieval Latin pūnctuātus (past participle of pūnctuāre to point), derivative of Latin pūnctus a pricking; see punctual

OTHER WORDS FROM punctuate

Words nearby punctuate

punctiform, punctilio, punctilious, punctual, punctuality, punctuate, punctuated equilibrium, punctuation, punctuation mark, punctuationalism, punctulate

Words related to punctuates

interrupt, intersperse, sprinkle, underline, pepper, stress, divide, point, interject, separate, accent, mark, break, accentuate, emphasize, intersect

Example sentences from the Web for punctuates

British Dictionary definitions for punctuates

punctuate
/ (ˈpʌŋktjʊˌeɪt) /

verb (mainly tr)

(also intr) to insert punctuation marks into (a written text)
to interrupt or insert at frequent intervals a meeting punctuated by heckling
to give emphasis to

Derived forms of punctuate

punctuator, noun

Word Origin for punctuate

C17: from Medieval Latin punctuāre to prick, from Latin punctum a prick, from pungere to puncture