undemonstrative en · ADJ
Pronunciation
- /ˌʌn dəˈmɒn stɹə tɪv/
Etymology
From un- + demonstrative.
Meanings
-
Not given to showing emotion or feelings; reserved or distant.
It was a godsend when an undemonstrative ewe and demonstrative lamb came in.
1902, Barbara Baynton, edited by Sally Krimmer and Alan Lawson, Bush Studies (Portable Australian Authors: Barbara Baynton), St Lucia: University of Queensland Press, published 1980, page 30:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| most undemonstrative | Degree=Sup | lexicographic | |
| more undemonstrative | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic |
Deriveds
undemonstrativeness · undemonstratively
Synonyms
standoffish · thorny · frosty · uninvolved · frosty · hard-to-get · standoffish · remote · strange · unimpressionable · cool · aloof · unapproachable · touch-me-not-ish · hankty · distant · offish · unbending · undemonstrative · quiet