punctilious

Punctilious is an adjective used to describe someone who pays meticulous attention to particulars of conduct, etiquette, or procedure. A punctilious person is careful to observe formalities and exact standards, often to the point of fastidiousness. The term can carry a positive sense of conscientiousness or a pejorative sense of fussy rigidity, depending on context.

Etymology: The word enters English from the French punctilieux, itself from Latin punctiliosus, meaning full of points or points of conduct, built from punctum 'point.' The noun form punctiliousness and the adverb punctiliously derive from the same root.

Usage: English uses punctilious especially with about or in. For example, "She is punctilious about table manners" or "He was punctilious in his duties as a supervisor." It often appears in discussions of etiquette, professional standards, or scholarly precision.

Related terms: Synonyms include meticulous, scrupulous, fastidious, and exacting; antonyms include lax or negligent. Punctilious emphasizes adherence to formalities and the fine points of procedure more than general thoroughness, though the two can overlap.

In context: The term is common in discussions of historical etiquette or careful regulatory compliance, where observers expect punctual, precise conduct. In modern prose, it can describe characters who notice and correct minute details, or individuals who insist on proper protocol in social or professional settings.