incisive
pronunciation
How to pronounce incisive in British English:
UK [ɪnˈsaɪsɪv]
How to pronounce incisive in American English:
US [ɪnˈsaɪsɪv]
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- Adjective:
- having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
- very penetrating and clear and sharp in operation
- suitable for cutting or piercing
Word Origin
- incisive (adj.)
- early 15c., inscisif, "slashing, cutting with a sharp edge," from Middle French incisif and directly from Medieval Latin incisivus, from Latin incis-, past participle stem of incidere (see incision). Originally literal; figurative sense of "mentally acute" first recorded 1850 as a borrowing from French. Related: Incisively; incisiveness.
Example
- 1. Rousseau was an early and incisive critic of the idea that self-interested behaviour would necessarily work to the benefit of all .
- 2. Close up , the stronger impression might be of her high , incisive intelligence .
- 3. Incisive analytical and problem-solving abilities ......
- 4. But his incisive analysis about the possibility of machine intelligence was not accompanied by an analysis of the consequences of machine intelligences .
- 5. Incisive lyrics , electrifying stage presence at the piano and sales of more than 12 million albums have secured her place in the pantheon of women in rock .