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expressive

 - 3 dictionary results

ex⋅pres⋅sive

  [ik-spres-iv]
Use expressive in a Sentence
–adjective
1. full of expression; meaningful: an expressive shrug.
2. serving to express; indicative of power to express: a look expressive of gratitude.
3. of, pertaining to, or concerned with expression: Dance is a highly expressive art.
4. Sociology. (of a crowd or group) engaging in nonpurposeful activity of an expressive and often rhythmic nature, as weeping, dancing, or shouting. Compare active (def. 15), orgiastic (def. 2).
5. Linguistics. of or pertaining to forms in which sounds denote a semantic field directly and nonarbitrarily, through sound symbolism based, to some degree, on synesthesia, as observable in onomatopoeia, rhyming and gradational compounds, and emotionally charged words such as hypocoristics and pejoratives.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < MF; see express, -ive

Related forms:
ex⋅pres⋅sive⋅ly, adverb
ex⋅pres⋅sive⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1, 2. Expressive, meaningful, significant, suggestive imply the conveying of a thought, indicating an attitude of mind, or the like, by words or otherwise. Expressive suggests conveying, or being capable of conveying, a thought, intention, emotion, etc., in an effective or vivid manner: an expressive gesture. Meaningful and significant imply an underlying and unexpressed thought whose existence is plainly shown although its precise nature is left to conjecture. Meaningful implies a secret and intimate understanding between the persons involved: Meaningful looks passed between them. Significant suggests conveying important or hidden meaning: On hearing this statement, he gave the officers a significant glance. Suggestive implies an indirect or covert conveying of a meaning, sometimes mentally stimulating, sometimes verging on impropriety or indecency: a suggestive story or remark. See also eloquent.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To expressive
ex·pres·sive   (ĭk-sprěs'ĭv)   
adj.  

  1. Of, relating to, or characterized by expression.

  2. Serving to express or indicate: actions expressive of frustration.

  3. Full of expression; significant: an expressive glance.

ex·pres'sive·ly adv., ex·pres'sive·ness n.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean effectively conveying a feeling, idea, or mood: an expressive gesture; an eloquent speech; a meaningful look; a significant smile.
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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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: ex·pres·sive
Function: adjective
1 : of or relating to expression
2 : serving to express or represent <expressive conduct protected by the First Amendment> —ex·pres·sive·ly adverb —ex·pres·sive·ness noun
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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