I. də̇ˈskriptiv, dēˈ-, -tēv also -təv adjective
Etymology: Late Latin descriptivus, from Latin descriptus + -ivus -ive
1. : serving to describe : characterized by description : representational through presentation of observed facts
a minute anatomical and generally descriptive account of the large fulvous orangutan — E.A.Poe
outjutting formations have been given descriptive names: the Devil's Chair is 80 feet high — American Guide Series: Minnesota
purely descriptive poetry — Yvor Winters
— distinguished from critical, evaluative, and theoretical
2.
a. : referring to, constituting, or concerned with empirical things or events or with their parts, characteristics, or functions
descriptive expressions
descriptive disciplines
b. : factually grounded or informative rather than normative, prescriptive, emotive, aprioristic, or analytical
a descriptive judgments
descriptive theories
that this meaning shall be called “ descriptive ” when the responses evoked are cognitions and shall be called “emotive” when the responses evoked are attitudes — Asher Moore
3.
a. of a modifying word : expressing the quality, kind, or condition of what is denoted by the modified term
hot in “hot water” and sick in “a sick man” are descriptive adjectives
— distinguished from limiting
b. of a modifier , especially a clause : nonrestrictive
c. of a compound : belonging to the karmadharaya class
4. : characterized by or connected with description of the structure of a language at a particular time usually with rigorous exclusion of historical and comparative judgments
descriptive linguistics
descriptive grammar
a descriptive study
— compare comparative 4a
5. : characterized by kinship name classes that apply in part only to lineal relatives (as grandfather, father, son, grandchild) and in part only to collateral relatives (as uncle, cousin, nephew) regardless of the sex of the connecting relatives
regarded most European systems as descriptive and those of primitive peoples as classificatory — R.H.Lowie
— compare classificatory
• de·scrip·tive·ly -tə̇vlē, -li adverb
• de·scrip·tive·ness -tə̇vnə̇s noun -es
II. noun
( -s )
: a distinctive word, phrase, or sentence applied to a particular product in advertising