punctum noun. ['pʌŋ(k)tǝm] Pl. puncta ['pʌŋ(k)tǝ]. L16.
[Latin, orig. neut. of punctus pa. pple of pungere prick.]
1. A point. obsolete exc. as below. L16.
2. Zoology, Botany, & Medicine etc. A minute rounded speck, dot, or spot of colour; a small elevation or depression on a surface. M17.
3. Anatomy. = punctum lachrymale below. L18.
4. Palaeography. A punctuation mark consisting of a point in a medieval manuscript. M20.
Phrases: punctum indifferens [ɪn'dɪfǝrɛnz] [= not differing] a neutral point. punctum lachrymale [lakrɪ'meɪli], pl. -lia [-lɪǝ], [= lachrymal] Anatomy the orifice of either of the two lacrimal canals at the corner of the eye. punctum saliens ['salɪɛnz] [= leaping] the first trace of the heart in an embryo, appearing as a pulsating point; fig. a starting-point or centre of activity.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲