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descriptively

 [dih-skrip-tiv]   Origin

de·scrip·tive

   [dih-skrip-tiv]
adjective
1.
having the quality of describing; characterized by description: a descriptive passage in an essay.
2.
Grammar.
a.
(of an adjective or other modifier) expressing a quality of the word it modifies, as fresh in fresh milk. Compare limiting (def. 2).
b.
(of a clause) nonrestrictive. Compare restrictive (def. 4).
3.
noting, concerned with, or based upon the fact or experience.
4.
characterized by or based upon the classification and description of material in a given field: descriptive botany.
Origin:
1745–55; < Late Latin dēscrīptīvus, equivalent to Latin dēscrīpt(us) (see description) + -īvus -ive

Related forms
de·scrip·tive·ly, adverb
de·scrip·tive·ness, noun
non·de·scrip·tive, adjective
non·de·scrip·tive·ly, adverb
non·de·scrip·tive·ness, noun
EXPAND
o·ver·de·scrip·tive, adjective
o·ver·de·scrip·tive·ly, adverb
o·ver·de·scrip·tive·ness, noun
self-de·scrip·tive, adjective
un·de·scrip·tive, adjective
un·de·scrip·tive·ly, adverb
un·de·scrip·tive·ness, noun
COLLAPSE
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Descriptively is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
descriptive (dɪˈskrɪptɪv)
 
—adj
1.  characterized by or containing description; serving to describe
2.  grammar (of an adjective) serving to describe the referent of the noun modified, as for example the adjective brown as contrasted with my and former
3.  relating to or based upon description or classification rather than explanation or prescription: descriptive linguistics
 
de'scriptively
 
—adv
 
de'scriptiveness
 
—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

descriptive
1751, from L. descriptivus, from descript-, pp. stem of describere (see description).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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