ostension

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French ostension, in turn from Latin ostensiō, ostensiōnem.

Noun

ostension (countable and uncountable, plural ostensions)

1. (philosophy) The act of presenting an ostensive definition.
   • 2008 November 22, Richard Fumerton, “Luminous enough for a cognitive home”, in Philosophical Studies, volume 142, number 1, →DOI:

     And ostension is one perfectly familiar way of introducing a concept.

2. (obsolete) An act of showing or demonstrating.
3. (Christianity) The showing of the sacrament on the altar in order that it may receive the adoration of the communicants.

Related terms

• ostend
• ostensive
• ostentation