having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
<adj.all> an acute observer of politics and politicians incisive comments icy knifelike reasoning as sharp and incisive as the stroke of a fang penetrating insight frequent penetrative observations
suitable for cutting or piercing
<adj.all> incisive teeth
Incisive \In*ci"sive\, a. [Cf. F. incisif.] 1. Having the quality of incising, cutting, or penetrating, as with a sharp instrument; cutting; hence, sharp; acute; sarcastic; biting; trenchant. ``An incisive, high voice.'' --G. Eliot.
And her incisive smile accrediting That treason of false witness in my blush. --Mrs. Browning.
2. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the incisors; incisor; as, the incisive bones, the premaxillaries.
3. Clearly and succinctly stated, with penetrating insight into the issue at hand; as, an incisive comment. [PJC]
Although the character here isn't fully fleshed out, the concept is incisive: It's a seminar on how Hispanics can get ahead by pretending to be Oriental.
The emphasis on trend spotting and incisive sociology results in a strangely underpopulated book; a few case studies on individual immigrants would have helped provide a picture of the faces behind the numbers.
She has long been an international star, and in the international repertory; I well remember her incisive Azucena in a 1975 Covent Garden Trovatore.
He could praise as well as blame. Roberts has many of the same qualities: incisive use of quotations, telling anecdotes and acquaintance with out of the way sources, especially diaries. Yet there is one huge difference.
Among the ones that came and went, the incisive Nilsson/Solti performance (revived on Decca CDs) held its ground - too unremitting and ferocious to brook any argument, but just for that reason not exactly definitive.
Their research is careful, their writing clear, and their analysis incisive.
Graham Sutherland offers an incisive analysis of the hard, thin lines that scour and sour the writer's face.
These incisive essays include history, biography, personal memories and reflections.
Canyons, despite some incisive writing, stretches out its length indulgently and interminably.
Thank you for Claudia Rosett's incisive look at Jaime Ongpin and the Philippines in her three-part "Sayang" series (Feb. 29-March 2, editorial page).