Point Runs Through Punctuation, Pens and Punctuality
A point is a sharp tip, a location, or the essential meaning. Its Latin root is the verb to prick.
A point is a sharp tip, an exact location, a unit of scoring, or the essential meaning of something. All of it comes from Latin *pungere*, to prick or pierce. A pricked mark on parchment gave both the geometric point and the full stop; the same root gives *punctuation*, *puncture*, *punctual*, *pungent* and *poignant* — a poignant memory is literally one that pricks. Being *punctual* means arriving at exactly the pricked point on the clock.
- A sharp tip. *The point of a pin.*
- An exact position. *A point on the map.*
- A scoring unit. *Three points.*
- The essential meaning. *Miss the point.*
- Latin — *pungere*, to prick. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | point | A point. |
| Verb | point | Point there. |
| Adjective | pointed | Pointed. |
| Adjective | pointless | Pointless. |
| Latin | pungere | To prick. |
- The point of the knife was blunt.Tip.
- That is beside the point.Meaning.
- Punctual means at the exact point.Etymology.
The pungere family
- Point — a pricked mark or tip
- Punctuation — marks made by pricking
- Punctual — exactly on the point of time
- Puncture — a hole made by piercing
- Poignant — sharp enough to prick the feelings
Old French *point*, from Latin *punctum*, a pricked spot, the past participle of *pungere*, to prick.
Are point and punctual related?
Yes. Both come from Latin pungere, to prick; punctual means arriving exactly at the marked point.
Why is a moving remark poignant?
From the same root: something poignant is sharp enough to prick the feelings.