demonstrate: Meaning and Definition of

dem•on•strate

Pronunciation: (dem'un-strāt"), [key]
— v., -strat•ed, -strat•ing.
—v.t.
  1. to make evident or establish by arguments or reasoning; prove: to demonstrate a philosophical principle.
  2. to describe, explain, or illustrate by examples, specimens, experiments, or the like: to demonstrate the force of gravity by dropping an object.
  3. to manifest or exhibit; show: He demonstrated his courage by his actions in battle.
  4. to display openly or publicly, as feelings: to demonstrate one's anger by slamming a door.
  5. to exhibit the operation or use of (a device, process, product, or the like), usually to a purchaser or prospect: to demonstrate an automobile.
—v.i.
  1. to make, give, or take part in, a demonstration: The pickets required a license to demonstrate.
  2. to attack or make a show of force to deceive an enemy.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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