Definitions for: Descriptive


[adj] (grammar) describing the structure of a language; "descriptive linguistics simply describes language"
[adj] serving to describe or inform or characterized by description; "the descriptive variable"; "a descriptive passage"
[adj] concerned with phenomena (especially language) at a particular period without considering historical antecedents; "synchronic linguistics"; "descriptive linguistics"



Webster (1913) Definition: 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.

Descriptive anatomy, that part of anatomy which treats of
the forms and relations of parts, but not of their
textures.

Descriptive geometry, that branch of geometry. which treats
of the graphic solution of problems involving three
dimensions, by means of projections upon auxiliary planes.
--Davies & Peck (Math. Dict. ) -- De*scrip"tive*ly, adv.
-- De*scrip"tive*ness, n.

Synonyms: synchronic

Antonyms: diachronic, historical, normative, prescriptive, undescriptive

See Also: synchronal, synchronous

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