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descriptive
(redirected from descriptiveness)

   Also found in: Legal 0.04 sec.
de·scrip·tive  (d-skrptv)
adj.
1. Involving or characterized by description; serving to describe.
2. Concerned with classification or description: a descriptive science.
3. Grammar
a. Expressing an attribute of the modified noun, as green in green grass. Used of an adjective or adjectival clause.
b. Nonrestrictive.
4. Linguistics Of or relating to the study or the description of a language or a specific stage of a language, with emphasis on constructing a grammar without regard to historical development, comparison with other languages, or advocated norms for correct or proper usage.

de·scriptive·ly adv.
de·scriptive·ness n.

descriptive [dɪˈskrɪptɪv]
adj
1. characterized by or containing description; serving to describe
2. (Linguistics / Grammar) 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
3. relating to or based upon description or classification rather than explanation or prescription descriptive linguistics
descriptively  adv
descriptiveness  n
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.descriptive - serving to describe or inform or characterized by description; "the descriptive variable"; "a descriptive passage"
undescriptive - not successful in describing
2.descriptive - describing the structure of a language; "descriptive grammar"
grammar - the branch of linguistics that deals with syntax and morphology (and sometimes also deals with semantics)
prescriptive, normative - pertaining to giving directives or rules; "prescriptive grammar is concerned with norms of or rules for correct usage"

descriptive
adjective graphic, vivid, expressive, picturesque, detailed, explanatory, pictorial, illustrative, depictive The group adopted a simpler, more descriptive title.
Translations
descriptive [dɪsˈkrɪptɪv] ADJdescriptivo
descriptive [dɪˈskrɪptɪv] adjdescriptif/ive
descriptive
adj
beschreibend; account, adjective, passageanschaulich; descriptive writingBeschreibung f; his descriptive powerssein Talent zur Beschreibung; to be descriptive of somethingetw beschreiben
linguistics, science etcdeskriptiv
descriptive [dɪsˈkrɪptɪv] adjdescrittivo/a
descriptive [dɪsˈkrɪptɪv] adjdescrittivo/a


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On separate questionnaires, subjects rated the extent to which a trait adjective is descriptive of people who are sexually active, and on a third questionnaire, participants were asked to rate the descriptiveness of the trait adjectives for people who were not sexually active.
Between Davis' superb narration and Saivatore's blow-by-blow descriptiveness, you really feel like you're "watching" the action.
Their effectiveness may stem from their descriptiveness and modest presence.
 
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