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punctuate

Pronunciation: /ˈpʌŋ(k)tʃʊeɪt, -tjʊ-/

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Definition of punctuate

verb

[with object]

1insert punctuation marks in (text): they should be shown how to set out and punctuate direct speech [no object]: style manuals tell you how to punctuate

2occur at intervals throughout (an area or period):the country’s history has been punctuated by coups
(punctuate something with) interrupt or intersperse something with:she punctuates her conversation with snatches of song

Origin:

mid 17th century (in the sense 'point out'): from medieval Latin punctuat- 'brought to a point', from the verb punctuare, from punctum 'a point'

punctuate in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of punctuate in the US English dictionary

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