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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source
punc·tu·a·tion /ˌpʌŋktʃuˈeɪʃən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[puhngk-choo-ey-shuhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. the practice or system of using certain conventional marks or characters in writing or printing in order to separate elements and make the meaning clear, as in ending a sentence or separating clauses.
2. the act of punctuating.
3. punctuation marks.
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[Origin: 1530–40; < ML pūnctuātiōn- (s. of pūnctuātiō) a marking, pointing. See punctuate, -ion]
—Related forms
punc·tu·a·tion·al, punc·tu·a·tive, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source punc·tu·a·tion (pŭngk'chōō-ā'shən) Pronunciation Key
n.
The use of standard marks and signs in writing and printing to separate words into sentences, clauses, and phrases in order to clarify meaning.
The marks so used.
The act or an instance of punctuating.
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source
punctuation
1539, "pointing of the psalms," from M.L. punctuationem (nom. punctuatio) "a marking with points," from punctuatus, pp. of punctuare "to mark with points or dots," from L. punctus "a prick" (see point). Meaning "system of inserting pauses in written matter" is recorded from 1661.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source punctuation
noun
1. something that makes repeated and regular interruptions or divisions
2. the marks used to clarify meaning by indicating separation of words into sentences and clauses and phrases
3. the use of certain marks to clarify meaning of written material by grouping words grammatically into sentences and clauses and phrases