Incisive

Origin

From Middle French incisif

Full definition of incisive

Adjective

1. Quickly proceeding to judgment and forceful in expression; decisive; forthright.
   An incisive producer, who expressed vehement disapproval with my pitch upon my first sentence.
• 1922, Ben Travers, A Cuckoo in the Nest Chapter 1, She was like a Beardsley Salome, he had said. And indeed she had the narrow eyes and the high cheekbone of that creature, and as nearly the sinuosity as is compatible with human symmetry. His wooing had been brief but incisive.
2. Intelligently analytical and concise.
3. Having the quality of incising, cutting, or penetrating, as with a sharp instrument; sharp; acute; sarcastic; biting.
• G. EliotAn incisive, high voice.
• Mrs. BrowningAnd her incisive smile accrediting
  That treason of false witness in my blush.
4. (anatomy) Of or relating to the incisors.
   the incisive bones, the premaxillaries

Derived terms

• incisively
• incisiveness
• incisivity