Middle English Dictionary Entry
demonstrātīf adj. & n.
Entry Info
| Forms | demonstrātīf adj. & n. Also -tive. |
| Etymology | L & OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Characterized by logical reasoning, logical; proceding from true premises, demonstrable, certain; -- as noun, personified; ~ conning, the science of logic; also, knowledge based on logical deduction; ~ pref (prof), proof based on logic, conclusive proof; ~ science, the science of logic; ~ sillogism, a syllogism whose premises are known to be true; (b) gram. pointing out the particular thing referred to; as noun: a pronoun having such a function.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sum.(Manly-Rickert)D.2272 : And ye shal seen, vp peril of my lyf, By preeue which that is demonstratyf, That equally the soun of it wol wende, And eek the stynk, vnto the spokes ende.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)2a/a : He [Galien] was most forsoþ in science demonstratiue [L in scientia demonstratiua] in tyme of Antonii emperour.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)42 : Thouȝ thilk kunnyng be not demonstratijf that is to seie, more sure than is probable and likeli kunnyng.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)77 : This..is the difference bitwix a demonstratijf sillogisme and a probable sillogisme, that is to seie, bitwixe a sillogisme which ȝeueth sure and vndoutable kunnyng and a sillogisme which ȝeueth probable kunnyng oonli, that is to seie kunnyng of likelihode and of opinioun but not of certeinte.
- a1475(1450) Scrope DSP (Bod 943)256/22 : In his youthe he [Galien] desirede muche to konne demonstratiue science [DSPhilos.: connynge demonstratyf].
- (c1456) Pecock Faith (Trin-C B.14.45)167 : Bi feith a man more sadlier cleeveth to an article than he dooth to eny treuthe, wherof he hath surest demonstrative proof.
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)23/15 : He suspend þe commyssion of thre sistirs, of which the oon is callid Demonstratyue (or serteyne), the othir Dialetique (dowtfull), and the thryd Sophistique (dissaiveable), and put them holy vndir the obeisaunce .. of the divine Feith.
b
- c1450 Battlefield Gram.(Trin-C O.5.4)108 : How many pronounes bether?..How many of these primityfys be demonstratyfys? Ego, tu, jste, & hic..How many of these be othyr whyle relatyf and other whyle demonstratyf? Tweyne, viz. jlle & jpse.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1450 Peniarth Accedence(2) (Pen 356B)83-85 : Whiche of þes primytyfes byn only demonstratyfes and how many relatyfes, and how many byn oder while demonstratyfes and oder while relatyfes? Foure byn only demonstratyfes.
- c1450 Peniarth Accedence(2) (Pen 356B)88-90 : When byn þey relatyfes and byn þey demonstratyfes? When þey byn putte in þe fyrste clause of a reson þat a man speketh ben þey byn demonstratyfes.
Note: Supplemental material
Note: Belongs to sense (b).--per MLL
Note: ?Needed for form: pl. demonstratifes.