17 January 2018

incisive

[in-sahy-siv]

adjective

1. penetrating; cutting; biting; trenchant:
an incisive tone of voice.
2. remarkably clear and direct; sharp; keen; acute:
an incisive method of summarizing the issue.
3. adapted for cutting or piercing.
4. of or relating to the incisors :
the incisive teeth.

Origin of incisive

Medieval Latin

1520-1530 From the Medieval Latin word incīsīvus, dating back to 1520-30. See incise, -ive

Related forms

incisively, adverb
incisiveness, noun
unincisive, adjective
unincisively, adverb
unincisiveness, noun

Synonyms

1. acid, mordant; sarcastic, sardonic.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for incisive

Contemporary Examples

His correspondence, much of which survives, is that of an incisive and articulate observer.
Stonewall Jackson, VMI’s Most Embattled Professor
S. C. Gwynne
November 28, 2014

John Jenkins describes Miller as an “ incisive witness both to scientific acumen and religious belief.”
Meet the Prizewinning Catholic Biologist Creationists Can’t Stand
Karl W. Giberson
April 5, 2014

But unlike Bloom and Eagleton, his books have been, while erudite and incisive, unashamedly populist.
John Sutherland‘s Enjoyable Little History of Literature
Malcolm Forbes
November 28, 2013

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Today’s quote

Those who do not move, don’t notice their chains.

– Rosa Luxemburg

On this day

17 January 1899 – birth of Al Capone, who grew up to be one of America’s most famous gangsters. He died on 25 January 1947.

17 January 1942 – birthday of Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr), American professional boxer (former world heavy-weight champion), philanthropist, social activist.

17 January 1966 – the United States loses 4 H-bombs after the B-52 that was carrying them, collided with a KC-135 tanker during mid-air refuelling. The tanker exploded, killing all 4 crew, the B-52 broke apart, killing 3 of the 7 crew. Three of the hydrogen bombs were located on land near the Spanish town of Palomares. Two of the non-nuclear explosives in the weapons detonated, contaminating 2 km2 with plutonium. The fourth bomb was located 2.5 months later in the Mediterranean Sea.

17 January 1991 – Operation Desert Storm commences after Iraqi President Saddam Hussein refuses to comply with a US directive that he remove his forces from Kuwait. Hussein claimed that Kuwait was stealing Iraqi oil. 32 nations were involved in the Operation to remove Iraqi forces from Kuwait.

17 January 1927 – birth of Eartha Kitt, American singer and actress. She played Catwoman in the 1960’s Batman TV series. Two of her more famous songs were ‘C’est Si Bon’ and ‘Santa Baby’. She died on 25 December 2008.