demonstrate 
(> Sp. dcmostrar = Pg. drnii'iixtnii- = It. tlinw- 
strare = D. tlcmonstreren = ('. demoiutrirm 
= Dan. ili-iHiinnln n : = S\v. ileniiiimtrera), point 
out, indicate, designate, show, < de- + mon- 
strare, show : see monstrtitimi, monster. Ct. re- 
monstrate.] 1. To point out; indicate; make 
evident ; exhibit. 
How he lov'd the People, nlher Arguments then affected 
sayings must tlrmoiixtrat. Milton, Elkonoklastes, ix. 
For the Gardens, one m;i> :it. !\ atlinn ttiat if Solomon 
made them in the Kocky ground wliich is now ansi^n'd 
for thiMii, he lit Hinnstrnti'il greater |H>WIT mill wealth in 
finishing his design, than he did wisdom in choosing the 
place for it. Minnnlrell, Aleppo to Jerusalem, p. 89. 
Specifically 2. To exhibit, deseribo, and ex- 
Elaiu, as the parts of a dissected body ; teach 
y the ocular use of examples, as a physical 
science, especially anatomy or any of its prin- 
ciples. 3. To establish the truth of; fully es- 
tablish by arguments ; adduce convincing rea- 
sons for belief in, as a proposition. 
As the proving of these two things will overthrow all 
atheism, so It will likewise lay a clear foundation for the 
demonstrating of a deity distinct from the corporeal 
world. Cutheorth, Intellectual System, p. 146. 
demonstration (dem-on-stra'shon), n. [< ME. 
(lci/xistracion, < OF. demonstration, demonstroi- 
son, P. demonstration = Sp. demostracion = Pg. 
tlcinonstracSo = It. dimostrazione = D. demon- 
stratie = G. Dan. Sw. demonstration, < L. demon- 
stratio(n-), < demonstrare, point out: see de- 
monstrate.] 1. The act of pointing out or ex- 
hibiting; an exhibition; a manifestation; a 
show: as, a demonstration of friendship or sym- 
pathy. 
Did your letters pierce the queen to any demonttration 
of grief .' Shak., Lear, iv. 3. 
2. The exhibition and explanation of exam- 
ples in teaching an art or a science, especially 
anatomy. 3. Milit., an exhibition of warlike 
intentions; a warlike attitude or movement: 
specifically, a military operation of any kind 
which may be performed for the purpose of 
deceiving the enemy respecting the measures 
which it is intended to employ against him. 
He was compelled hy the national spirit to make a dem- 
onstration of war. Hallow. 
If any uncertainty remains as to the enemy's disposi- 
tion, ileintinxtnitiiiu.1 should be made generally along the 
front, to oblige him to show his hand. 
Maaiouyall, Modern Warfare, vlil. 
4. A public exhibition, by a number of persons, 
of sympathy with some political or other cause, 
as in a mass-meeting or a procession. 6" . Proof, 
either (a) a process of stating in an orderly 
manner indubitable propositions which evi- 
dently cannot be true without the truth of the 
conclusion so proved, or (b) the propositions 
SO stated. Properly, demonstration is restricted to per- 
fect proof, especially mathematical proof. (See the ex- 
tract from Burgersdicius, l>elow.) According to the Aristo- 
telian doctrine, which has greatly influenced the use of 
the word, demonstration must be drawn from principles 
not only self-evident, but also uuderived from any higher 
irinciples ; and the conclusion must not only be shown to 
'< true, but also to be a mere special case of the truth of 
one or more of the principles from which it Is derived. It 
was supposed that this was the character of the best 
mathematical proofs ; but mathematical proof consists in 
constructing a diagram or formula according to certain 
rules which prescribe that certain relations shall exist 
hriui . n the parts of that diagram, and then in showing 
by observation (directly or indirectly) that certain addi- 
tional relations exist between those parts ; and no impor- 
tant mathematical proof Is of the nature of the Aristote- 
lian demonstration. The word has consequently acquired 
two significations : tlrst, its original sense of a perfect 
mathematical proof ; second, the sense of a proof drawn 
from principles, as in the Aristotelian theory. There is 
also a third signification, according to which a demon- 
stration is any proof which leaves no room for reason- 
able doubt, such as Kepler a proof that the orbit of Mars 
is an ellipse. Writers who adopt the Aristotelian view 
hold that the redttctio ad alimrdum and the Kermatlan 
mode of proof, though entirely convincing, arc not perfect 
demonstrations. 
Some an admirable delight drew to Musicke ; and some, 
the certainty of demonstration to the Mathematickes. 
Sir P. Sidney, Apol. for Poetrie. 
Demonstration is a syllogism made of such propositions 
as are true, first immediate, and manifestly known, and 
be the causes of the conclusion. First and immediate here 
is all one, signifying such propositions as need not be 
proved or made nine < vident by any other former propo- 
sitions. Blundfvutf. 
Demonstration, in the f!reek ajro6<if, is amongst the 
geometricians a delineation of a diagram, in wliich they 
exhibit the truth of their propositions to be seen hy tin- 
eye. lo that is opposed pseudonraphema : that is, a de- 
scription or false delineation. Now these words, as many 
others, whieh are used in the doctrine of syllogism. an 
translated from geometry into logic; and Wan dMHOK 
*ti-<titm is taken sometimes for any certain and perspicu- 
ous proof, lint here in this place strictly for syllogism sci- 
entitle, and pBendographema, or false syllogism, for syllo- 
gism begetting error or contrary to science. 
liiir : ifraluiu, tr. by a Gentleman. 
1529 
Demonstration [is] nothing but the perception of nirli 
agreement [of ideas] by the intervention t' other ideas or 
mediums. /,<M'Jv, Mnman rnderntnnding, IV. iv. 7. 
Direct demonstration, demonstration roD im, or 
driin>u*iriiti '/i"", a ptoof proceeding from the true cause 
of the fact proved. Imperfect demonstration, see 
. n.ri'. Indirect demonstration, demonstration 
TOU on, or d>'in"ii.*<i-iiti" ijtiid, a proof which does not show 
the true cause of the fact proved. - Ostensive demon- 
stration, in mnlh., a demonstration which plainly and 
directly demonstrates the truth of a proposition. 
demonstrative (de-mon'stra-tiv), . and . [< 
ME. ilfiinniKtriitif, ^ F. (Umonstratif= Pr. demos- 
tratiu = Sp. demostrativo = Pg. demonstrativo 
= It. dimostrativo, < L. demonstrativus, < de- 
monstrare, point out: see demonstrate.] I. a. 
1. Exhibiting or indicating with clearness: as, 
a demonstrative figure in painting. 2. In rltet., 
expressing or explaining with clearness, force, 
and beauty. 3. Characterized by or given to 
the strong exhibition of any feeling or quality ; 
energetically expressive: as, a demonstrative 
manner; a demonstra live person. 
May hasn't been too officious about me and too dr.aon- 
stratice. Dickent, Cricket on the Hearth. 
4. Pertaining to or of the nature of proof; 
having the power of proving or demonstrating; 
indubitably conclusive : as, a demonstrative ar- 
gument ; demonstrative reasoning. 
A syllogism demonstrative is that which is made of ne- 
cessary, Immediate, true, certain, and infallible proposi- 
tions, being first and so known as they need none other 
proof. Blundeville. 
It is Impossible by any solid or demonstrative reasons 
to persuade a man to believe the conversion of the needle 
to the north. Sir T. Browne, Keligio Medici, i. 48. 
Probations are demonstrative In the stricter sense of that 
term when the certainty they necessitate is absolute and 
complete : that is, when the opposite alternative Involves 
a contradiction. Sir W. Hamilton. 
Demonstrative certainty. See certainty. Demon- 
strative judgment, a judgment in which something i* 
held to lie necessarily proved. Demonstrative legacy. 
See legacy. Demonstrative pronoun, in gram.,& pro- 
noun that points to, rather than defines or describes, the 
object to which It relates : the name Is applied to English 
this, that, you, and to their correspondents in other lan- 
guages. Demonstrative root, a name sometimes ap- 
plied to the pronominal roots in general, as implying posi- 
tion and direction rather than quality. 
II. n. A demonstrative pronoun, 
demonstratively (de-mon stra-tiv-li), adv. 1. 
In a manner to prove or demonstrate; with 
proof which cannot be questioned ; with cer- 
tainty; convincingly. 
First, I demonstratively prove 
That feet were only made to move. 
Prior. 
i;:; 
No man, he (Plato] thought, could see clearly and de- 
monstratively what was right and what was wrong and not 
act accordingly. /li/ m Smith, Moral Sentiments, vll. 2. 
2. In a demonstrative manner ; with energetic 
exhibition of feeling: as, he spoke very demon- 
stratively. 
demonstrativeness (de-mon'stra-tiv-nes), n. 
The quality of being demonstrative, in any of 
its senses. 
demonstrator (dem'on-stra-tor), n. [= P. de- 
niiinatrateur, OF. demonstreuf = Sp. demostrn- 
dor = Pg. denumstrador = It. dimostratore, < L. 
demonstrator, < demonstrare, point out: see de- 
monstrate.] 1. One who points out, exhibits, or 
explains by examples; specifically, in anat., 
one who exhibits, describes, and explains the 
parts when dissected; a teacher of practical 
anatomy. 
In 1805, he (Sir Benjamin Brodie] assisted Mr. Wilson in 
teaching anatomy, and in IHOy officiated as demonstrator. 
Gallery of Medicine, Sir B. Brodie. 
2. One who demonstrates; one who proves 
anything with certainty or with indubitable 
evidence. 
Whether an algebraist, fluxionist, geometrician, or dem- 
onstrator of any kind, can expect indulgence for obscure 
principles or incorrect reasonings. 
Dp. Berkeley, Analyst, xliii. 
3. The index finger. Dunglison. 
demonstratorship (dem'on-stra-tor-ship), n. 
[< demonstrator + -shij>.] The position or of- 
fice of a demonstrator in anatomy. 
When Valsalva was transferred to Parma, Morgagnl suc- 
ceeded to his anatomical demonstratorship. 
Encyc. Brit., XVI. 822. 
demonstratory (de-mon'stra-to-ri), a. [< LL. 
demonstratoriiis, < li. demonstrator: see demon- 
xtnitnr.] Tending to demonstrate; demonstra- 
tive. [Rare.] 
demoraget, . An obsolete form of demurrage. 
demoralization (de-mor'al-i-za'shon), n. [= F. 
iii'-iiiiiriiiittiitiiin = Sp. dtttHtnUeaeton = Pg. des- 
morali:aq8o = It. dr>m>riiU:;ii;iin' : as demoral- 
i~c + -ntion.] The act of demoralizing, or the 
state of being demoralized. Also spelled de- 
moralisation. 
dempt 
The cause [of the crimes of the i reoles] ! t.. lie found In 
the existence of slavery; and the invariable <t>'nir(iliiatwn 
whieh thUareursi-d piaetici-] luce is not checked by any 
system of religious teaching. Quarterly Jtrr., Nov., 1M" 
The demoralization among the Confederates from their 
defeats at Henry and Donelson, their lonx marches from 
Bowling Green, Columbus, and Nashville, and their failure 
at shiloh, . . . was so great that a stand for the time 
would have U'eil imposMMc. 
( . N. Grant, Personal Memoirs, I. 874. 
demoralize (de-mor'al-Iz), r. t. ; pret. and pp. 
ilt miiralized, ppr. demoralizing. [= F. demo- 
raliser = Sp. Pg. desmoralizar = It. demoraUz- 
zare = D. demoraliseren = G. demoralisiren = 
Dan. demoralisere = Sw. dcmoralisera ; as de- 
priv. + moral + -izc.] 1. To corrupt or un- 
dermine the morals of: weaken or destroy the 
effect of moral principles on. 
When the Doctor [Noah Webster] was asked how many 
words he had coined for his Dictionary, he replied, only 
one, "to demoralize," and that ... in a pamphlet pub- 
lished in the last century. 
Sir C. Lyell, Travels in the United States, p. 63. 
It is always demoralizing to extend the domain of senti- 
ment over questions where it has no legitimate jurisdic- 
tion. Lowell, Htudy Windows, p. 168. 
2. To deprive of spirit or energy ; dishearten ; 
destroy the courage, confidence, or hope of; 
render incapable of brave or energetic effort : 
specifically used in relation to troops : as, the 
charge of our cavalry completely demoralized 
the enemy's left wing. 
But war often for a time exhausts and demoralizes, it 
sometimes perpetuates injustice, it is occasionally under- 
taken against the clearest provisions of the law of nations. 
Woolsey, Introd. to Inter. Law, 5 208. 
3. To throw into confusion in general; bring 
into disorder; confuse mentally: as, he was 
badly demoralized by fright. [Colloq.] 
Also spelled demoralise. 
demos (de'mos), n. [< Gr. <%jof, the people : 
see rfcm* 2 .] 1. In Gr. antiq., the people; the 
public ; the commonwealth. 2. The populace ; 
the common people. 
Only thus is there hope of arresting the general defec- 
tion from the religious life observable both in the intel- 
lectual classes and through large strata of the Demos. 
Contemporary Rev., L. 25. 
Also demiis. 
Demospongiae (de-mo-spon'ji-e), n. pi. [NL., 
< Gr. oi?//of , the people (see deme*, 2), + oir6yyof, 
sponge.] In Sollas's classification of sponges, 
a subclass of Silicispongia! in which sexradiate 
spicules are absent. It is divided into two or- 
ders, Monaxonida and Tetractinellida. 
demospongian (de-mo-spon'ji-an), a. and n. 
I. a. Of or pertaining' to the Demospongwe. 
H. 11. One of the Demospongia;. 
Demosthenian, Demosthenean (de-mos-the'- 
ni-an, de-mos-the-ne'an), a. Same as Demos- 
thenic. 
Emphatic and abnormal position of single words and 
phrases was a distinctly Demosthrnian device, to prick 
his hearers as it were, and keep their attention at a high 
degree of tension. Tram. Amtr. Philol. Ass., XVI. 127. 
Demosthenic (de-mos-then'ik), a. [< L. De- 
mosthenicus, < Demosthenes, < Gr. ^tifiooBtv^f, a 
celebrated orator. The name means 'strong 
with the people,' < oij/iof , the people, + atitvof, 
strength.] Pertaining to or characteristic of 
Demosthenes, a celebrated Athenian orator and 
patriot (384-322 B. c.), especially famous for 
his "Philippics," or orations delivered against 
the encroachments of Philip, king of Macedon. 
demotic (de-mot'ik), a. [= F. demotique = Sp. 
demotico, <'Gr. dti/urrtKof, of or for the common 
people, popular, democratic, < dr//i6rrK, one of 
the common people, < oijfiof, the common peo- 
ple. Cf. democratic.] Popular; pertaining to 
the common people: specifically applied to a 
certain mode of writing used in Egypt for epis- 
tolary and business purposes from about the 
seventh century B. a, as distinguished from the 
lii< rn tic and hieroglyphic. Also called enchorial. 
In Egyptian writing the demotic or enchorial system Is 
a corruption of the hieratic. Farrar, Language, xili 
It (the Roaetta stone) was engraved in three sets of 
characters, the first being in the ancient hieroglyphic*, 
the second In the more recent and popular language and 
characters called demotic, and the third in the Ureek. 
H. S. Osbarn, Ancient Egypt, p. 18. 
dempnet, r. t. An obsolete form of damn 
Chaucer. 
dempster, n. See deemster. 
demptt (dempt). [ME. dempt, contr. of demed, 
pp. of demen, deem, judge : see deem 1 .] An ob- 
solete preterit and past participle of deem 1 . 
Till partial! Paris dempt it Venus dew. 
Spenter, F. Q., II. vii. 55. 
Therefore, Sir knight, 
Aread what course of you Is safest dempt. 
Spenter, f. Q., III. xi. 23. 
