demonstrative meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

demonstrative

adj

UK /dɪˈmɒn.stɹə.tɪv/ · US /dɪˈmɑn.stɹə.tɪv/

Etymology From Middle English demonstratif, from Middle French démonstratif, from Latin dēmōnstrātīvus. Equivalent to demonstrate + -ive.

That serves to demonstrate, show or prove.

demonstrative evidence
an argument necessary and demonstrative[1594], Richard Hooker, edited by J[ohn] S[penser], Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie, […], London: […] Iohn Windet, […], →OCLC, (please specify the page):

Given to open displays of emotion.

demonstrative eloquence1783, Hugh Blair, Lectures on Rhetoric and Belles Lettres:
He had rather a contempt for demonstrative people, arising from his medical insight into the consequences to health of uncontrolled feeling.1865, Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell, Wives and Daughters, Chapter III:

Grammar, Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences That specifies the thing or person referred to.

Derived terms: demonstrative adjective, demonstrative determiner, demonstrative legacy, demonstratively, demonstrativeness, demonstrative pronoun, nondemonstrative, undemonstrative
Related terms: demonstrable, performative

noun

Etymology From Middle English demonstratif, from Middle French démonstratif, from Latin dēmōnstrātīvus. Equivalent to demonstrate + -ive.

› A demonstrative word

Grammar, Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences A demonstrative adjective.

Grammar, Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences A demonstrative pronoun.