I. ˈpəŋ(k)chəˌwāt, -(k)sh-, usu -ād.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Medieval Latin punctuatus, past participle of punctuare to point, from Latin punctus pricking, point, from punctus, past participle of pungere to prick — more at pungent
transitive verb
1. : to mark or divide (written or printed matter) with punctuation marks in order to clarify the meaning and separate structural units
2. : to break into or interrupt at intervals
the steady click of her needles punctuated the silence — Edith Wharton
she punctuated his petitions with Amens — Alan Paton
meetings punctuated by brief recesses — Lindesay Parrott
her career was punctuated by a series of mishaps — Harper's
the many odysseys which have punctuated his life — Polly Adler
3. : to set off by contrast : accentuate , emphasize
her heels … punctuated the declaration of finality as they clicked along the sidewalk — Helen Howe
raising of a finger punctuating the lively lingo of the auctioneer — American Guide Series: Louisiana
the music … with enough beat to punctuate it — Harold Sinclair
copious tears punctuate their bitter tale of financial woe — B.B.Seligman
brilliant solid color is punctuated by the blackest black — Rosamund Frost
dress with beige top and caramel skirt, punctuated at the waistline with a black patent belt — Women's Wear Daily
the sun was punctuating the sky — Sabine Gova
intransitive verb
: to use punctuation marks
II. -_wə̇t, -ˌwāt adjective
Etymology: Latin punctus point + English -ate
: punctate , dotted