descriptive

[dih-skrip-tiv]

adjective

having the quality of describing; characterized by description: a descriptive passage in an essay.

Grammar.

(of an adjective or other modifier) expressing a quality of the word it modifies, as fresh in fresh milk.Compare limiting(def 2).
(of a clause) nonrestrictive.Compare restrictive(def 4).

noting, concerned with, or based upon the fact or experience.

characterized by or based upon the classification and description of material in a given field: descriptive botany.

Origin of descriptive

1745–55; < Late Latin dēscrīptīvus, equivalent to Latin dēscrīpt(us) (see description) + -īvus -ive

Related formsde·scrip·tive·ly, adverbde·scrip·tive·ness, nounnon·de·scrip·tive, adjectivenon·de·scrip·tive·ly, adverbnon·de·scrip·tive·ness, nouno·ver·de·scrip·tive, adjectiveo·ver·de·scrip·tive·ly, adverbo·ver·de·scrip·tive·ness, nounself-de·scrip·tive, adjectiveun·de·scrip·tive, adjectiveun·de·scrip·tive·ly, adverbun·de·scrip·tive·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for descriptively

Contemporary Examples of descriptively

In other words, descriptively, Khalidi thinks Foxman is right.
"No Light Between the U.S. and Israel”
Shaul Magid
May 23, 2013

Historical Examples of descriptively

This essay treats the subject historically and descriptively.
Talks about Flowers.
M. D. Wellcome
Something similar, descriptively, might be said of Alderley Edge.
Country Rambles, and Manchester Walks and Wild Flowers
Leo H. Grindon
And she searched anxiously for words which might be set dramatically, descriptively.
The Way of Ambition
Robert Hichens
The court-yard itself had likewise been descriptively entitled in old time, Cripple Corner.
No Thoroughfare
Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins
Moreover, his leading motives themselves are descriptively or soulfully melodious as the requirement may be.
How to Appreciate Music
Gustav Kobb

British Dictionary definitions for descriptively

descriptive

adjective

characterized by or containing description; serving to describe

grammar (of an adjective) serving to describe the referent of the noun modified, as for example the adjective brown as contrasted with my and former

relating to or based upon description or classification rather than explanation or prescriptiondescriptive linguistics

Derived Formsdescriptively, adverbdescriptiveness, noun

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

Word Origin and History for descriptively

descriptive

adj.

1751, from Late Latin descriptivus, from descript-, past participle stem of describere (see description). Related: Descriptively; descriptiveness.