denotatively
- adverb
- /ˌdɛnəˈteɪtɪvli/
:
denotativamente
- The term should be understood denotatively, without considering any emotional associations.
Examples
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Denotatively, we can look up the word "Christmas" in the dictionary.
Academic text (1996) -
I would say that if we look at the term "Machiavellian" denotatively, this writing certainly does seem typical of Machiavelli; however, if considered connotatively, the opening chapters do not seem too radical, speaking more about the different means to power and not so much methods or justification of them.
Blog text (12) -
More specifically, I would agree denotatively but object connotatively to such a classification.
Blog text (2) -
In their view, the left hemisphere appeared to fulfill the role of a largely context-free, denotatively oriented, language processor.
Academic text (2002) -
We can define a word denotatively by looking at its literal meaning in the dictionary.
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When we analyze the text denotatively, we focus solely on the precise meanings of the words used.
Synonyms
434
4.8
Something is true by the exact rules or facts, not by how people usually think
2
6.7
In a way that relates to the meaning of words or sentences
1
6.3
About the actual words used in a piece of writing
In a way that points to something mentioned before
How Literal
Surface Forms
Morphology
denotatively = denotative (transparent) = denote + ative + ly
The adverb is a straightforward -ly form of the adjective 'denotative', which itself transparently relates to 'denote'/'denotation'.
Etymology
Denotatively comes from Latin parts de- and notare, where notare means 'to mark' and is the same root as the English word note. So, to use a word denotatively is to point to its plain, direct or 'marked' meaning, the literal thing the word refers to.