descriptive
UK[dɪˈskrɪptɪv]US[dɪˈskrɪptɪv]
adj
describing something, especially in a detailed, interesting, or scientific way.
adj
(of a word or phrase) giving a description of the characteristics or features of something.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
script
ive
de
down, completely
script
write
ive
adjective-forming suffix
Etymology
the word descriptive is built upon the latin verb scribere, meaning "to write," which itself may trace back to the proto-indo-european root skribh-, associated with cutting, scratching, or engraving—a fundamental method of recording information. the intensive prefix de- was added to form describere, meaning "to write down" or "copy." the past participle stem script- from this verb was then combined with the adjectival suffix -ivus (english -ive). the literal progression from the physical act of "writing down" evolved into the modern abstract sense of "serving or aiming to describe," capturing the essence of portraying something in words or detail.
Analysis
Structure: de (down, completely) + script (write) + ive (adjective-forming suffix)
de: a latin prefix meaning "down, away, off, completely." in this word, it functions as an intensifier.
script: from latin scriptus, the past participle stem of scribere, meaning "to write." it functions as the core root conveying the sense of writing or recording.
ive: a latin-derived suffix used to form adjectives meaning "of, relating to, or tending to." it indicates the word describes a quality or characteristic.
Examples
the book provides a highly descriptive account of life in the arctic.
"green" and "tall" are descriptive adjectives.
her writing is more descriptive than analytical, painting vivid pictures with words.