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demonstration - 5 dictionary results

dem⋅on⋅stra⋅tion

  [dem-uhn-strey-shuhn]
Use demonstration in a Sentence
–noun
1. the act or circumstance of proving or being proved conclusively, as by reasoning or a show of evidence: a belief incapable of demonstration.
2. something serving as proof or supporting evidence: They sent a check as a demonstration of their concern.
3. a description or explanation, as of a process, illustrated by examples, specimens, or the like: a demonstration of methods of refining ore.
4. the act of exhibiting the operation or use of a device, machine, process, product, or the like, as to a prospective buyer.
5. an exhibition, as of feeling; display; manifestation: His demonstration of affection was embarrassing.
6. a public exhibition of the attitude of a group of persons toward a controversial issue, or other matter, made by picketing, parading, etc.
7. a show of military force or of offensive operations made to deceive an enemy.
8. Mathematics. a logical presentation of the way in which given assumptions imply a certain result; proof.
Origin:
1325–75; ME demonstracioun < L dēmonstrātiōn- (s. of dēmonstrātiō, equiv. to dēmonstrāt(us) (see demonstrate ) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms:
dem⋅on⋅stra⋅tion⋅al, adjective
dem⋅on⋅stra⋅tion⋅ist, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To demonstration
dem·on·stra·tion   (děm'ən-strā'shən)   
n.  
  1. The act of showing or making evident.
  2. Conclusive evidence; proof.
  3. An illustration or explanation, as of a theory or product, by exemplification or practical application.
  4. A manifestation, as of one's feelings.
  5. A public display of group opinion, as by a rally or march: peace demonstrations.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Demonstration

Dem`on*stra"tion\, n. [L. demonstratio: cf. F. d['e]monstration.]

1. The act of demonstrating; an exhibition; proof; especially, proof beyond the possibility of doubt; indubitable evidence, to the senses or reason.

Those intervening ideas which serve to show the agreement of any two others are called "proofs;" and where agreement or disagreement is by this means plainly and clearly perceived, it is called demonstration. --Locke.

2. An expression, as of the feelings, by outward signs; a manifestation; a show.

Did your letters pierce the queen to any demonstration of grief? --Shak.

Loyal demonstrations toward the prince. --Prescott.

3. (Anat.) The exhibition and explanation of a dissection or other anatomical preparation.

4. (Mil.) a decisive exhibition of force, or a movement indicating an attack.

5. (Logic) The act of proving by the syllogistic process, or the proof itself.

6. (Math.) A course of reasoning showing that a certain result is a necessary consequence of assumed premises; -- these premises being definitions, axioms, and previously established propositions.

Direct, or Positive, demonstration (Logic & Math.), one in which the correct conclusion is the immediate sequence of reasoning from axiomatic or established premises; -- opposed to

Indirect, or Negative, demonstration (called also reductio ad absurdum), in which the correct conclusion is an inference from the demonstration that any other hypothesis must be incorrect.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : demonstration
Spanish: demostración,
German: die Vorführung,
Japanese: 実物宣伝
More Translations »

demonstration 
c.1374, from L. demonstrationem, from demonstrare, from de- "entirely" + monstrare "to point out, show," from monstrum "divine omen, wonder." Meaning "public show of feeling," usually with a mass meeting and a procession, is from 1839. Demonstrative, of persons, in the sense of "characterized by outward expression of feelings" is from 1819.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: dem·on·stra·tion
Pronunciation: "dem-&n-'strA-sh&n
Function: noun
: an act, process, or means of demonstrating tothe intelligence; especially : a proof by experiment demonstration of the neutralization of an acid by a base>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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