ostensive

[ o-sten-siv ]

adjective

1. clearly or manifestly demonstrative.
2. ostensible.

ostensive

/ ɒˈstɛnsɪv /

adjective

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

Derived Forms

• osˈtensively, adverb

Other Words From

• os·tensive·ly adverb
• nonos·tensive adjective
• nonos·tensive·ly adverb
• unos·tensive adjective
• unos·tensive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of ostensive¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Medieval Latin ostēnsīvus, equivalent to Latin ostēns(us), variant of ostentus, past participle of ostendere “to present, display” ( o(b)s, variant of ob- “to, toward, on” + tend(ere) “to stretch” + -tus past participle suffix) + -īvus adjective suffix; ob-, -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of ostensive¹

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

Example Sentences

Evidently, it isn’t easy ending the lives of others, even those who pose an ostensive threat to national security, survive a five-car collision or mildly resemble Drake.

From Salon

Rather, he is ostensively defining what he calls “the smug style in American liberalism.”

From Wall Street Journal

And Israel holds undeniable power over the lives of West Bank's Palestinians, despite their ostensive autonomy.

From US News

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

From Project Gutenberg

He jerked forward in his chair, "Except, of course, ostensively."

From Project Gutenberg