ˌpəŋ(k)ˈtilēˌō noun
( plural punctilios )
Etymology: Italian & Spanish; Italian puntiglio small point, point of honor, scruple, from Spanish puntillo, from diminutive of punto point, from Latin punctum — more at point
1.
a. : an instant of time
b. : a small detail
2. : a nice detail of conduct in a ceremony, a procedure, or in the observance of a social or moral code : a point of behavior about which one is fastidious
his punctilio , and love of ceremonious manners — Osbert Sitwell
no punctilio would keep him from telling what he knew — Carl Van Doren
not accustomed to give much regard to the punctilios of law — Oscar Handlin
treat them with the punctilios of the duelist's code — H.F.Armstrong