How Do You Spell OSTENSIVE DEFINITION?

Pronunciation: [ɒstˈɛnsɪv dˌɛfɪnˈɪʃən] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "ostensive definition" is tricky due to its unique combination of letters. The word is pronounced [ɒˈstɛnsɪv ˌdɛfɪˈnɪʃ(ə)n] and is used in philosophy to describe the act of defining a concept by pointing to an example or an instance of it. The first two syllables are pronounced with a short "o" sound, followed by a stressed "e". The "t" is silent, and the "s" is pronounced as "z". The word ends with the "shun" sound followed by the stress on the final "n".

OSTENSIVE DEFINITION Meaning and Definition

1. Ostensive definition is a type of definition that conveys the meaning of a term or concept by pointing at or demonstrating the thing being defined. It is a method of defining a word or object by direct reference to a concrete example or through physical demonstration rather than relying on verbal or abstract explanations.

   In an ostensive definition, the term or concept is typically introduced by physically showing or pointing to a specific instance or object. This form of definition is often employed when words or concepts are difficult to define explicitly using language alone, particularly when dealing with abstract or complex ideas.

   Ostensive definitions are useful in situations where words or concepts cannot be easily explained using conventional language, or when it is challenging to find words that accurately depict the nuances or qualities of a particular term. By providing a concrete example or using physical gestures, ostensive definitions help individuals grasp the meaning of a term through visual or sensory perception.

   This type of definition is commonly used in early childhood education, introducing children to new vocabulary by showing them examples or pointing at objects. Ostensive definitions are also utilized in scientific research or fields where specific tools or instruments are involved, as it is often easier to show the actual object than to describe it verbally.

Common Misspellings for OSTENSIVE DEFINITION

• istensive definition
• kstensive definition
• lstensive definition
• pstensive definition
• 0stensive definition
• 9stensive definition
• oatensive definition
• oztensive definition
• oxtensive definition
• odtensive definition
• oetensive definition
• owtensive definition
• osrensive definition
• osfensive definition
• osgensive definition
• osyensive definition
• os6ensive definition
• os5ensive definition
• ostwnsive definition

Etymology of OSTENSIVE DEFINITION

The word "ostensive" comes from the Latin word "ostendere", which means "to show" or "to display". The term "ostensive definition" is rooted in the philosophy of language and was coined by the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. He used the term to describe a type of definition that involves pointing to or demonstrating the object or concept being defined in order to convey its meaning, rather than using words or descriptions. So, the term "ostensive definition" combines the Latin root "ostendere" with the word "definition" to refer to this specific type of definition.