[punc.tu.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [ML punctuatus, pp. of punctuare to point, provide with punctuation marks, fr. L punctus point] vt (ca. 1818) 1: to mark or divide (written matter) with punctuation marks
2: to break into or interrupt at intervals "the steady click of her needles punctuated the silence --Edith Wharton"
3: accentuate, emphasize ~ vi: to use punctuation marks -- punc.tu.a.tor n