Punc"tu*al (?), a. [F. ponctuel (cf. Sp.puntual, It. puntuale), from L. punctum point. See Point.]
1.
Consisting in a point; limited to a point; unextended.
[R.] "This
punctual spot."
Milton.
The theory of the punctual existence of the soul.
Krauth.
2.
Observant of nice points; punctilious; precise.
Punctual to tediousness in all that he relates.
Bp. Burnet.
So much on punctual niceties they stand.
C. Pitt.
3.
Appearing or done at, or adhering exactly to, a regular or an appointed time; precise; prompt; as, a punctual man; a punctual payment.
"The race of the undeviating and
punctual sun."
Cowper.
These sharp strokes [of a pendulum], with their inexorably steady intersections, so agree with our successive thoughts that they seem like the punctual stops counting off our very souls into the past.
J. Martineau.
© Webster 1913.