Punctiliar

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ËŒpʌŋkˈtɪlɪə/
• US IPA: /ËŒpəŋkˈtɪliÉš/

Origin

Formed as punctilio + -ar, initially as as an alternative translation (instead of punctual) for the German punktuell.

Full definition of punctiliar

Adjective

1. (grammar) Of or pertaining to an unextended point of time:
1. (of an action) Occurring at a definite and particular point in time.
2. (of verbal aspect or tense) Relating to a punctiliar action or event.

Synonyms

• (grammar: of or pertaining to an unextended point of time subsenses) punctual

Antonyms

• (grammar: of or pertaining to an unextended point of time subsenses) durative

Noun

1. (grammar) A verb denoting a punctiliar action or activity.
• 1943, Richard C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. Matthew’s Gospel 1–14, Augsburg Fortress (2008), ISBN 9780806680859, page 289:First two duratives to express our practice of judging and measuring, then two punctiliars (aorists) to state God’s reciprocations.
• 1996, University of Maryland Working Papers in Linguistics: UMD WPL IV–VI, page 122:Many researchers observe similar generalizations: that children seem unwilling to mark activity verbs like walk or unbounded punctiliars like jump with an -ed ending, even though this is a tense marker in the adult language that applies to all types of events.

Synonyms

• (grammar: verb denoting a punctiliar action) punctual

Antonyms

• (grammar: verb denoting a punctiliar action) durative