US /ɑˈstɛnsɪv/ UK /ɒˈstɛnsɪv/
adj

Meanings

  1. 1
    adj

    directly demonstrating or pointing out, especially by example

    A child learns the word red through ostensive pointing at colored objects.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 adj · directly demonstrating or... demonstrativeindicativeostensibleillustrativeexhibitive
Word family
Derived forms ostensively
Related forms ostensibleostentationostend

Etymology

From Late Latin 'ostensivus', from Latin 'ostensus', past participle of 'ostendere' ('to show, display'), from 'ob-' ('toward') plus 'tendere' ('to stretch').

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Topics

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