punctum

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈpuːŋk.tũː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈpuŋk.tum]^[1]

Forms

pūnctum n (genitive pūnctī); second declension^[1]

Etymology

It is the neuter of pūnctus, the participle of pungō “to prick, pierce”, used as a noun.^[2][1] The verb is inherited from Proto-Italic *pung-, inherited from Proto-Indo-European *pu-n(e)-g/k-.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler dates it from Terence (190–159 BC),^[4] whose slave says “I have a moment for this matter: my master is here”.^[2]

Semantic evolution

Its literal sense was a prick or puncture, a small hole, as Vitruvius' holes in a water clock.^[2][5] A vote was recorded by pricking a wax tablet, so it also meant a vote, as Cicero's complaints that cost him votes, and in poetry approval.^[2][1]

It meant a dot or spot, a speck, as Cicero's earth that looked like a point in the sky, and with temporis or alone an instant.^[2] Grammar and mathematics used it for a point, and Medieval Latin for a musical note.^[1][4] English point came partly from it through Old French about 1200.^[6]

Timeline

• 190–159 BC – Terence uses it of a moment.^[2][4]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of votes and of a point in space.^[2][4]
• c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius uses it of holes.^[2][4]
• c. 1200 – English point is recorded.^[6]

Meanings

Noun

1. A prick, puncture, small hole.^[2][1]
2. A vote; approval.^[2][1]
3. A dot, spot.^[2]
4. A point, speck.^[2][1]
5. punctum temporis: an instant, moment.^[2][1]
6. A small portion.^[1][4]
7. (Medieval Latin, music) A note.^[4]

Related words

• English point

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
4. ^ a b c d e f g Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
6. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com