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demonstrative - 4 dictionary results

de⋅mon⋅stra⋅tive

  [duh-mon-struh-tiv]
Use demonstrative in a Sentence
–adjective
1. characterized by or given to open exhibition or expression of one's emotions, attitudes, etc., esp. of love or affection: She wished her fiancé were more demonstrative.
2. serving to demonstrate; explanatory or illustrative.
3. serving to prove the truth of anything; indubitably conclusive.
4. Grammar. indicating or singling out the thing referred to. This is a demonstrative pronoun.
–noun
5. Grammar. a demonstrative word, as this or there.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME demonstratif (< MF) < L dēmonstrātīvus, equiv. to dēmonstrāt(us) (see demonstrate ) + -īvus -ive

Related forms:
de⋅mon⋅stra⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
de⋅mon⋅stra⋅tive⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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de·mon·stra·tive   (dĭ-mŏn'strə-tĭv)   
adj.  
  1. Serving to manifest or prove.
  2. Involving or characterized by demonstration.
  3. Given to or marked by the open expression of emotion: an affectionate and demonstrative family.
  4. Grammar Specifying or singling out the person or thing referred to: the demonstrative pronouns these and that.
n.   Grammar
A demonstrative pronoun or adjective.
de·mon'stra·tive·ly adv., de·mon'stra·tive·ness n.
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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Demonstrative

De*mon"stra*tive\, a. [F. d['e]monstratif, L. demonstrativus.]

1. Having the nature of demonstration; tending to demonstrate; making evident; exhibiting clearly or conclusively. "Demonstrative figures." --Dryden.

An argument necessary and demonstrative. --Hooker.

2. Expressing, or apt to express, much; displaying feeling or sentiment; as, her nature was demonstrative.

3. Consisting of eulogy or of invective. "Demonstrative eloquence." --Blair.

Demonstrative pronoun (Gram.), a pronoun distinctly designating that to which it refers.

Demonstrative

De*mon"stra*tive\, n. (Gram.) A demonstrative pronoun; as, "this" and "that" are demonstratives.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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