ostensive

[ o-sten-siv ]
/ ɒˈstɛn sɪv /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR ostensive ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

clearly or manifestly demonstrative.
ostensible.

Origin of ostensive

1595–1605; < Medieval Latin ostēnsīvus, equivalent to Latin ostēns(us), variant of ostentus past participle of ostendere to present, display ( o(b)s-, variant of ob- ob- + tend(ere) to stretch + -tus past participle suffix) + -īvus -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM ostensive

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH ostensive

ostensible ostensive

Words nearby ostensive

ostempyesis, ostend, ostend manifesto, ostensible, ostensibly, ostensive, ostensive definition, ostensorium, ostensory, ostentation, ostentatious

Words related to ostensive

credible, external, illusive, illusory, likely, ostensible, outward, plausible, possible, probable, seeming, specious, superficial, supposed, suppositious

Example sentences from the Web for ostensive

  • It serves mainly to provide the regime with ostensive evidence of its power and technological progress.

    Area Handbook for Albania |Eugene K. Keefe

  • Associated words: ostensive, ostensible, exhibiting, expository.

    Putnam's Word Book |Louis A. Flemming

  • Explain the meaning of "ostensive" and "indirect" Reduction.

    Logic |Carveth Read

British Dictionary definitions for ostensive

ostensive
/ (ɒˈstɛnsɪv) /

adjective

obviously or manifestly demonstrative
a less common word for ostensible
philosophy (of a definition) given by demonstrative means, esp by pointing

Derived forms of ostensive

ostensively, adverb

Word Origin for ostensive

C17: from Late Latin ostentīvus, from Latin ostendere to show; see ostensible