demonstration definition

This entry has no definition yet.

1. The act of demonstrating; an exhibition; proof; especially, proof beyond the possibility of doubt; indubitable evidence, to the senses or reason. "Those intervening ideas which serve to show the agreement of any two others are called "proofs;" and where agreement or disagreement is by this means plainly and clearly perceived, it is called demonstration." (Locke)

2. An expression, as of the feelings, by outward signs; a manifestation; a show. "Did your letters pierce the queen to any demonstration of grief?" (Shak) "Loyal demonstrations toward the prince." (Prescott)

3. <anatomy> The exhibition and explanation of a dissection or other anatomical preparation.

4. (Mil) a decisive exhibition of force, or a movement indicating an attack.

5. <logic> The act of proving by the syllogistic process, or the proof itself.

6. <mathematics> A course of reasoning showing that a certain result is a necessary consequence of assumed premises; these premises being definitions, axioms, and previously established propositions.

<logic> Direct, or Positive, demonstration, one in which the correct conclusion is the immediate sequence of reasoning from axiomatic or established premises; opposed to Indirect, or Negative, demonstration (called also reductio ad absurdum), in which the correct conclusion is an inference from the demonstration that any other hypothesis must be incorrect.

Origin: L. Demonstratio: cf. F. Demonstration.