Exhibitive

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Relating to the act of showcasing or revealing details about a subject or object
2. Having a tendency to openly present or reveal something to others
3. Characterized by the act of demonstrating or making visible certain traits or facts

Etymology: "Exhibitive" is a plain formation: the adjective-forming suffix "-ive" added to "exhibit," which itself came into English from Latin "exhibere," meaning "to hold out" or "to present." The suffix "-ive" comes via French from Latin "-ivus," and attaches to verb stems to mean "tending to" or "having the nature of." So "exhibitive" describes something tending toward displaying or revealing, much as "addictive" or "conductive" describe tendencies. The word itself is a late and uncommon adjective. Its usefulness lies in describing a quality of an action or object, such as a display that shows details, rather than the display event itself. The noun "exhibit" is the older and more familiar partner, and "exhibitive" simply adds the sense of a tendency to show.

Synonyms: demonstrative, expositive, indicative

Antonyms: concealed, hidden