punctuation

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A set of symbols and marks which are used to clarify meaning in text by separating strings of words into clauses, phrases and sentences; examples include commas, hyphens, and stops (periods).

   Different languages have different rules for punctuation.

2. 2
   noun

   the use of certain marks to clarify meaning of written material by grouping words grammatically into sentences and clauses and phrases

3. 3
   noun

   the marks used to clarify meaning by indicating separation of words into sentences and clauses and phrases

4. 4
   noun

   something that makes repeated and regular interruptions or divisions

5. 5
   noun

   An act of punctuating.

Etymology

Borrowed from Medieval Latin punctuātiō (“a marking with points, a writing, agreement”), from punctuō (“to mark with points, settle”). Morphologically, punctuate + -ion.