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

Cairo streets are lined with campaign banners and posters extolling el-Sissi, who has done little in the way of traditional campaigning, and has not publicly mentioned his ostensive challenger, Moussa Mustafa Moussa.

From Seattle Times

El-Sissi has done little in the way of traditional campaigning, and has not publicly mentioned his ostensive challenger, Moussa Mustafa Moussa.

From Seattle Times

Dreher’s operative definition of media bias is identical to Jim Roberts’s ostensive one.

From Wall Street Journal

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

Not only does Putin relish flying in the face of American diplomacy, but he also doesn't fear doing so militarily: He recently sent his air force into Syrian skies with little concern for the possibility that it could produce live fire between U.S. and Russian fighters, bombed positions of ostensive U.S. allies and dramatically increased Russian submarine patrols off Alaska.

From US News