Dictionary.com

deictic

[ dahyk-tik ]
/ ˈdaɪk tɪk /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for deictic on Thesaurus.com
adjective
Logic. proving directly.
Grammar. specifying identity or spatial or temporal location from the perspective of one or more of the participants in an act of speech or writing, in the context of either an external situation or the surrounding discourse, as we, you, here, there, now, then, this, that, the former, or the latter.
noun
Grammar. a deictic element.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
who
whom
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of deictic

1820–30; <Greek deiktikós demonstrative, equivalent to deikt(ós) able to be proved, verbal adjective of deiknýnai to show, prove, point + -ikos-ic

OTHER WORDS FROM deictic

deic·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby deictic

DEI, Deianira, deice, deicer, deicide, deictic, deid, deif, deific, deification, deiform
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to deictic

professed, ostensible, ostensive

British Dictionary definitions for deictic

deictic
/ (ˈdaɪktɪk) /
adjective
logic proving by direct argumentCompare elenctic
noun
another word for indexical (def. 2)

Derived forms of deictic

deictically, adverb

Word Origin for deictic

C17: from Greek deiktikos concerning proof, from deiknunai to show
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK