Denotativeness

/dɛˈnoʊtətɪvnəs/ noun

Definition

The quality or state of being denotative; the degree to which something expresses literal, direct meaning.

Etymology

From denotative + -ness (noun suffix forming abstract nouns). This creates an abstract noun allowing discussion of denotation as a quality rather than an action.

Kelly Says

The 'denotativeness' of legal contracts is why lawyers use weird formal language—they're eliminating ambiguity by maximizing the literal meaning of every single word to prevent lawsuits.

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