descriptive

Descriptive — De*scrip tive, a. [L. descriptivus: cf. F. descriptif.] Tending to describe; having the quality of representing; containing description; as, a descriptive figure; a descriptive phrase; a descriptive narration; a story descriptive of the age.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

descriptive — I adjective characterizing, circumstantial, classificatory, clear, definitional, definitive, delineative, designating, detailed, eloquent, explanatory, explicatory, expositive, expository, graphic, identifying, illuminating, illuminative,… …   Law dictionary

descriptive — [di skrip′tiv] adj. describing; of or characterized by description; specif., a) designating or of a branch of a science in which its data or materials are described and classified [descriptive anatomy] b) Gram. designating an adjective that… …   English World dictionary

descriptive — meaning …   Philosophy dictionary

descriptive — 1751, from L.L. descriptivus, from descript , pp. stem of describere (see DESCRIPTION (Cf. description)). Related: Descriptively; descriptiveness …   Etymology dictionary

descriptive — As applied to language, the term denotes a concept of grammar as describing actual practice rather than laying down theoretical rules. See prescriptive …   Modern English usage

descriptive — [adj] explanatory anecdotic, characteristic, characterizing, circumstantial, classificatory, clear, definitive, delineative, depictive, describing, designating, detailed, eloquent, explicative, expository, expressive, extended, graphic,… …   New thesaurus

descriptive — ► ADJECTIVE 1) serving or seeking to describe. 2) describing or classifying without expressing judgement. DERIVATIVES descriptively adverb …   English terms dictionary

descriptive — adjective Date: 1723 1. serving to describe < a descriptive account > 2. a. referring to, constituting, or grounded in matters of observation or experience < the descriptive basis of science > b …   New Collegiate Dictionary

descriptive — ● descriptif, descriptive adjectif (bas latin descriptivus) Qui a pour objet de décrire, qui donne les détails de quelque chose, d une opération : Devis descriptif. Qui s attache à décrire quelque chose pour produire un effet artistique, recréer… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

descriptive — adj. VERBS ▪ be ADVERB ▪ highly, very ▪ a highly descriptive account of her journey through Africa ▪ purely …   Collocations dictionary