dissuasive, a. and n.
(dɪˈsweɪsɪv)
[f. L. type *dissuāsīv-us, f. dissuās- ppl. stem of dissuādēre: see dissuade and -ive; cf. F. dissuasif, -ive.]
A. adj. Tending to dissuade; characterized by dissuasion; dehortatory.
| 1609 W. M. Man in Moone (1849) 12 If I should extract the best counsell I coulde, being disswasive from your tobacko-taking, you would take it in snuffe. 1684 Pennsylv. Archives I. 88 Examples that have such a dissuasive power upon men. 1742 Fielding J. Andrews iii. ii, The dissuasive speech of Andromache. 1848 Lytton Harold ii. i, Despite all dissuasive ejaculations. |
B. n. A dissuasive speech or argument; that which tends or is intended to dissuade.
| 1629 tr. Herodian (1635) 25 This strong Disswasive of Pompeianus did..somewhat abate the edge of the young Emperour. 1664 Jer. Taylor (title), A Dissuasive from Popery, addressed to the people of Ireland. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 92 ¶5 A Dissuasive from the Play-House. 1830 Mackintosh Eth. Philos. Wks. 1846 I. 86 The success of persuasives or dissuasives..must always be directly proportioned..to the strength of the principle addressed. 1894 Baring-Gould Kitty Alone II. 123 To look with impatience..upon all dissuasives. |
Hence diˈssuasively adv., diˈssuasiveness n.
| 1727 Bailey vol. II, Dissuasiveness, dissuasive Quality. 1864 Webster, Dissuasively. 1881 H. James Portr. Lady xxiv, ‘Ah, really, Countess’, murmured Madame Merle dissuasively. |