disjunctive

[dis-juhngk-tiv] /dɪsˈdʒʌŋk tɪv/
adjective
1.
serving or tending to disjoin; separating; dividing; distinguishing.
2.
Grammar.
  1. syntactically setting two or more expressions in opposition to each other, as but in poor but happy, or expressing an alternative, as or in this or that.
  2. not syntactically dependent upon some particular expression.
3.
Logic.
  1. characterizing propositions that are disjunctions.
  2. (of a syllogism) containing at least one disjunctive proposition as a premise.
noun
4.
a statement, course of action, etc., involving alternatives.
5.
Logic. disjunction (def 2a).
6.
Grammar. a disjunctive word.
Origin
1400-50; late Middle English < Late Latin disjunctīvus placed in opposition, equivalent to Latin disjunct(us) (see disjunct) + -īvus -ive
Related forms
disjunctively, adverb
nondisjunctive, adjective
nondisjunctively, adverb
Examples from the web for disjunctive
  • Anyone who approaches his imagistic, disjunctive tales as puzzles to be solved is bound to be thwarted.
  • Numbness and excruciating pain, shrill anger and mordant, bizarre humor flit across her raw features in disjunctive parade.
British Dictionary definitions for disjunctive

disjunctive

/dɪsˈdʒʌŋktɪv/
adjective
1.
serving to disconnect or separate
2.
(grammar)
  1. denoting a word, esp a conjunction, that serves to express opposition or contrast: but in the sentence She was poor but she was honest
  2. denoting an inflection of pronouns in some languages that is used alone or after a preposition, such as moi in French
3.
(logic) Also alternative. relating to, characterized by, or containing disjunction
noun
4.
(grammar)
  1. a disjunctive word, esp a conjunction
  2. a disjunctive pronoun
5.
(logic) a disjunctive proposition; disjunction
Derived Forms
disjunctively, adverb