(n) an adjective that ascribes to its noun the value of an attribute of that noun (e.g., `a nervous person' or `a musical speaking voice'), Syn. qualifying adjective
(n) a description (at a given point in time) of a language with respect to its phonology and morphology and syntax and semantics without value judgments, Ant. prescriptive linguistics
a. [ L. descriptivus: cf. F. descriptif. ] Tending to describe; having the quality of representing; containing description; as, a descriptive figure; a descriptive phrase; a descriptive narration; a story descriptive of the age. [ 1913 Webster ]
Descriptive anatomy, that part of anatomy which treats of the forms and relations of parts, but not of their textures. -- Descriptive geometry, that branch of geometry. which treats of the graphic solution of problems involving three dimensions, by means of projections upon auxiliary planes. Davies & Peck (Math. Dict. )
-- De*scrip"tive*ly, adv. -- De*scrip"tive*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]