demonstrative

Noun · Adjective
US[dih-mon-struh-tiv]/dɪˈmɑnstrətɪv/4 syllables

Open English WordNet

Noun (1)

  1. a pronoun that points out an intended referentSynonyms: demonstrative pronounType of pronoun

Adjective (2)

  1. given to or marked by the open expression of emotion“an affectionate and demonstrative family”Opposite undemonstrativeSimilar epideictic, effusiveSee also unreserved
  2. serving to demonstrateSynonyms: illustrativeOpposite uninstructiveSimilar instructive, informative
Word of the day · Sep 29About this word
haphazardadjective

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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

De·mon′stra·tive adjective

Origin: F. démonstratif, L. demonstrativus.

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

An argument necessary and demonstrative.— Richard 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.” Hugh Blair

Demonstrative pronoun Grammar, a pronoun distinctly designating that to which it refers.


De·mon′stra·tive noun

Grammar A demonstrative pronoun; as, “this” and “that” are demonstratives.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

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