ostensive

American  

[o-sten-siv] / ɒˈstɛn sɪv /

adjective

1. clearly or manifestly demonstrative.

2. ostensible.

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ostensive British  

/ ɒˈstɛnsɪv /

adjective

1. obviously or manifestly demonstrative

2. a less common word for ostensible

3. philosophy (of a definition) given by demonstrative means, esp by pointing

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Other Word Forms

• nonostensive
  adjective
• nonostensively
  adverb
• ostensively
  adverb
• unostensive
  adjective
• unostensively
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of ostensive

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Medieval Latin ostēnsīvus, equivalent to Latin ostēns(us), variant of ostentus, past participle of ostendere “to present, display” ( o(b)s, variant of ob- “to, toward, on” + tend(ere) “to stretch” + -tus past participle suffix) + -īvus adjective suffix; see ob-, -ive

Example Sentences

Ostensive Reduction and the Mnemonic Verses 127 §7.

From Logic Deductive and Inductive by Read, Carveth