Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

puntilla

noun
pun·​ti·​lla | \ pün‧ˈtē(y)ə\
plural -s

Definition of puntilla

: a dagger used to sever a bull's spinal cord in bullfighting

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for puntilla

Mexican Spanish, diminutive of Spanish punta, punto point, from Latin punctum

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about puntilla

Statistics for puntilla

Look-up Popularity

More from Merriam-Webster on puntilla

Spanish Central: Translation of puntilla

Comments on puntilla

What made you want to look up puntilla? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

disavow

to deny responsibility for

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

What did you just call me?! A Quiz

  • rows-of-various-emoji
  • If a member of the audience describes your speech as bombastic, does that person mean it is:
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games