SuaviloquyToday’s word

juncture

Juncture, n.

Etymology: [L.junctura, fr. jungere to join. See Jointure.]

1. A joining; a union; an alliance. [Obs.] "Devotional compliance and juncture of hearts." Eikon Basilike.

2. The line or point at which two bodies are joined; a joint; an articulation; a seam; as, the junctures of a vessel or of the bones. Boyle.

3. A point of time; esp., one made critical or important by a concurrence of circumstances; hence, a crisis; an exigency. "Extraordinary junctures." Addison. In such a juncture, what can the most plausible and refined philosophy offer Berkeley.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for juncture; he lists it under union.

He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.