demonstrative
/dɪˈmɒnstrətɪv
/adjective
1(Of a person) unrestrained in showing feelings, especially those of affection: we were a very physically demonstrative family...
- I'm not a very demonstrative person, having always been taught that emotion leads to weakness, so I was more than a little embarrassed.
- This wasn't a family that showed what it felt, or courted demonstrative friends.
- With his loud voice and demonstrative personality, Weis usually sets the tone on the practice field.
Synonyms
expressive, open, forthcoming, emotional, communicative, responsive, unreserved, unrestrained, effusive, expansive, gushing, affectionate, cuddly, loving, warm, friendly, approachable
informal touchy-feely, lovey-dovey
2Serving as conclusive evidence of something: demonstrative evidence...
- The course's contents included the direct and cross examination of lay and expert witnesses, introduction of evidence and demonstrative exhibits, the making of closing arguments and the opening statement.
- He is very experienced in collating documents, summarizing evidence, arranging diagrammatic and demonstrative evidence and assisting with the general preparation for trial.
- In my view, when the admissibility of demonstrative evidence is in issue, in many cases, a traditional analysis of probative value really misses the point.
Synonyms
indicative, indicatory, suggestive, illustrative, evincive, expository
convincing, definite, positive, telling, conclusive, certain, decisive, material, airtight, watertight;
incontrovertible, incontestable, irrefutable, unquestionable, undeniable, indisputable, unassailable
2.1Involving demonstration, especially by scientific means: the possibility of a demonstrative science of ethics...
- Knowledge is composed of demonstrations, even if it may also include definitions; the method of science is demonstrative, even if it may also include the process of defining.
- Aquinas's philosophical theology is an elaborately developed, sophisticated system of knowledge modeled more or less closely on Aristotelian demonstrative science.
- It is cruel, inhuman and plainly wrong to keep fit parents from their precious children without a compelling, demonstrative reason.
3 Grammar (Of a determiner or pronoun) indicating the person or thing referred to (e.g. this, that, those).The best examples are the demonstrative pronouns this and that, for the reason that they are guaranteed a reference every time they are used....
- These are thoughts or judgements whose canonical expression is in terms of a demonstrative pronoun, ‘this’ or ‘that’, used to refer to some object in the perceived environment.
- Maybe I have a propensity for those sort of muddles, but maybe I'd rather have a propensity for that sort of a muddle, for my demonstrative pronouns are very dear to me.
noun Grammar
A demonstrative determiner or pronoun.All the pronouns and demonstratives have different forms for each conjunctive, creating such words as walalanggalangguwuy, meaning ‘originating from them’....
- Among the definite determiners are the demonstratives this and that, these and those.
- Note that there is variation not only in verb agreement, but also in agreement with demonstratives - this vs. these.
Derivatives
demonstratively
/ adverb ...- As the latter is demonstratively untrue it appears that the case is made.
- He demonstratively threw down the red jacket in front of the City Council building.
- His huge hands move about demonstratively as he discusses the new movie and his career.
demonstrativeness
/ noun ...- Emotional demonstrativeness has never been our particular modus operandi.
- Neither was given to demonstrativeness and communicated quietly the pain of ultimate separation.
- Her mother's warmth and demonstrativeness were coupled with a decisive bias toward action.
Origin
Late Middle English (in the senses 'serving as conclusive evidence of' and 'making manifest'): from Old French demonstratif, -ive, from Latin demonstrativus, from demonstrare 'point out' (see demonstrate).