punctum saliens
- noun
- /ˈpʌŋktəm ˈseɪliənz/
- Jargon
:
punctum saliens
- The photographer captured a punctum saliens at the exact moment the bird took flight.
Examples
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In his argument, the final statistic served as the punctum saliens that convinced the audience.
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Analyzing the novel, the critic pointed out the punctum saliens that changed the course of the plot.
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The punctum saliens of the painting is striking.
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Look at that punctum saliens!
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The photographer captured a punctum saliens at the exact moment the bird took flight.
-
In his argument, the final statistic served as the punctum saliens that convinced the audience.
-
Analyzing the novel, the critic pointed out the punctum saliens that changed the course of the plot.
Synonyms
169
3.2
The most exciting or memorable part of an event
48
4.5
The most important part of a plan or project
34
7.5
The main point that decides what matters most in an issue
30
3.7
The main person, thing, or idea that gets most attention
2
7.5
A quality that is easy to notice and more important than other things
1
4.3
The most interesting or memorable part of an event
1
8.0
The quality of being very noticeable or important
How Significant
Surface Forms
Morphology
punctum + saliens
Although the constituents here are Latin and not common English vocabulary, the phrase is compositionally built: punctum = 'point' and saliens = 'salient'/'leaping out', so the combined meaning is a 'salient' or 'striking point'. If a B1 learner hypothetically knew the constituent meanings or their direct cognates (e.g. 'point' and 'salient'), the overall sense is directly derivable and follows a clear compositional pattern.
Etymology
Punctum saliens may come from Latin words punctum and saliens, which mean 'point' and 'jumping'. The image is of a small point that seems to jump out and catch your eye, so it now means 'a striking or defining moment or detail'.