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incisive

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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionaryin·ci·sive \in-ˈsī-siv\ adjective DATE circa 1834: impressively direct and decisive (as in manner or presentation) an incisive analysis an incisive unsentimental writer• in·ci·sive·ly adverb• in·ci·sive·ness nounEnglish Etymologyincisive 1590s, from M.L. incisivus, from L. incisionem (see incision).Originally literal: "cutting with a sharp edge;" figurative sense of "mentally acute" first recorded 1850 as a borrowing from French.Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7incisivein·ci·sive / in5saisiv / adjective(approving) 1. showing clear thought and good understanding of what is important, and the ability to express this 锐利的；透彻的: incisive comments / criticism / analysis 深刻的评论/批评/分析 an incisive mind 敏锐的头脑 2. showing sb's ability to take decisions and act with force 果断的；当机立断的: an incisive performance 果敢的表现 • in·ci·sive·ly adv. • in·ci·sive·ness noun [U] Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Thesaurus-11th Editionadj. Function: adjective having, manifesting, or suggesting a keen alertness of mind FF1C;a man well known for his incisive witFF1E; Synonyms: biting, clear-cut, crisp, cutting, ingoing, penetrating, trenchant Related Words: acute, drilling, keen, sharp; acerb, acerbic, caustic, mordant, scathing, slashing, tart; concise, laconic, succinct, terse Contrasted Words: diffuse, prolix, verbose, wordy; feeble, limp, pithless, sapless Antonyms: unincisiveWebster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridgedin·ci·sive\(ˈ)in|sīs]iv, ənˈsī-, ]ēv also ]əv sometimes -īz]\ adjectiveEtymology: Medieval Latin incisivus, from Latin incisus + -ivus -ive1. : having a cutting edge or piercing point : facilitating cutting or piercing < as sharp and incisive as the stroke of a fang — T.B.Costain >2. : marked by sharpness and penetration especially in keen clear unmistakable resolution of matter at issue or in pointed decisive effectiveness of presentation < the clear, incisive genius which could state in a flash the exact point at issue — A.N.Whitehead > < the … incisive irony … serves to put the literary crackpots in their proper place — S.C.Chew >3. : of, relating to, or situated near the incisorsSynonyms: clear-cut, crisp, trenchant, cutting, biting: incisive indicates a keen penetration and sharp presentation that is effective or decisive < Bismarck's will had not that incisive, rapier quality, that quality of highly tempered steel — flexible, unbreakable, of mortal effect, decisive, a sword — which had Richelieu's — Hilaire Belloc > clear-cut indicates either unmistakably clear and lucid outlining, analysis, or presentation, or finite certainty defying disbelief or question < this clear-cut and consistent political creed is set forth throughout with the lucidity and brevity that makes a first-class popular orator — Times Literary Supplement > < the current decision … was neither clear-cut nor definite … it appeared to be an attempted compromise — New York Times > crisp in this series has a variety of suggestions: keenness, freshness, clarity, animation, terseness, vigor, sureness, effectiveness < a languorous work … with occasional interludes of crisp brilliance — Anthony West > < crisp epigrams — George Santayana > trenchant suggests sharp penetrating acuteness often in criticism or detraction and may suggest sarcastic asperity < a trenchant critic of the rising capitalism, delighting in exposing the fallacies of the new economics and in pricking the bladders of political reputations — V.L.Parrington > cutting and biting apply to sharp sarcasm, ridicule, or detraction; the former may suggest a tendency to wound by penetrating acuteness, the latter a mordant, implacable harshness < the cutting sarcasm … the cruel epigrams and occasional harsh witticisms — Jack London > < domineering and censorious of any that stood in his way, with a biting wit, although he mellowed somewhat as he grew older — T.D.Bacon >

Incisive Sharp Adjective Decisive Clear Keen Merriam Webster's Collegiate