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to express, utter, or represent; indicative; communicative; -- followed by of; as, words expressive of his gratitude. Each verse so swells expressive of her woes. Tickell.

Without expression or meaning; not expressive; dull; unintelligent; as, an inexpressive countenance.

The state or quality of being inexpressive.

Not expressive; not having the power of utterance; inexpressive.

The expressive emphasis and shading of a passage. J. S. Dwight.

The attitude or position of the several parts of the body as expressive of the sentiment or passion depicted.

An exclamation, expressive of surprise, pity, complaint, entreaty, contempt, threatening, delight, triumph, etc., according to the manner of utterance.

An exclamation expressive of sorrow. [Archaic. or Poet.] Shak.

An exclamation expressive of sorrow, pity, or apprehension of evil; -- in old writers, sometimes followed by day or white; alas the day, like alack a day, or alas the white.

Expressive of awe or terror. An awesome glance up at the auld castle. Sir W. Scott.

An exclamation expressive of extreme contempt. Twenty-five years ago the vile ejaculation, Bah! was utterly unknown to the English public. De Quincey.

The act of blandishing; a word or act expressive of affection or kindness, and tending to win the heart; soft words and artful caresses; cajolery; allurement. Cowering low with blandishment. Milton. Attacked by royal smiles, by female blandishments. Macaulay.

Well done! excellent! an exclamation expressive of applause.

A short expressive title used for abbreviated book lists, etc.

Expressive of regard or praise; of the nature of, or containing, a compliment; as, a complimentary remark; a complimentary ticket. "Complimentary addresses." Prescott.

Expressive of sympathetic joy; as, a congratulatory letter.

Belonging to a coward; proceeding from, or expressive of, base fear or timidity. He raised the house with loud and coward cries. Shak. Invading fears repel my coward joy. Proir.

To utter a sound expressive of joy or pleasure. The sweetest little maid, That ever crowed for kisses. Tennyson. To crow over, to exult over a vanquished antagonist. Sennacherib crowing over poor Jerusalem. Bp. Hall.

Making declaration, explanation, or exhibition; making clear or manifest; affirmative; expressive; as, a clause declaratory of the will of the legislature. Declaratory act (Law), an act or statute which sets forth more clearly, and declares what is, the existing law.

Oratorical or expressive delivery, including the graces of intonation, gesture, etc.; style or manner of speaking or reading in public; as, clear, impressive elocution. "The elocution of a reader." Whately