descriptive linguistics

noun (used with a singular verb)

the study of the grammar, classification, and arrangement of the features of a language at a given time, without reference to the history of the language or comparison with other languages.
Also called synchronic linguistics.

Origin of descriptive linguistics

First recorded in 1925–30

Words nearby descriptive linguistics

descriptive bibliography, descriptive cataloging, descriptive clause, descriptive geometry, descriptive grammar, descriptive linguistics, descriptive metaphysics, descriptive notation, descriptive statistics, descriptivism, descriptivist

British Dictionary definitions for descriptive linguistics

descriptive linguistics

noun

(functioning as singular) the study of the description of the internal phonological, grammatical, and semantic structures of languages at given points in time without reference to their histories or to one another Also called: synchronic linguistics Compare historical linguistics