dɛɪkˈsiːs

Definitions

1. noun

The act of pointing out or indicating something, or the grammatical feature of words or phrases that depend for their meaning on the context in which they are used.

“The use of deixis in language is essential for effective communication, as it allows speakers to refer to objects, people, and events in the immediate context.”

2. noun

In linguistics, a category of words that depend on the context for their meaning, such as personal pronouns (I, you, he, she, etc.) and demonstratives (this, that, etc.).

“Deictic words like ‘here’ and ‘now’ are often used in conjunction with gestures to convey meaning in a specific context.”

3. noun

A reference or allusion in language that is dependent on the context in which it is used.

“The author’s use of deixis in the novel added depth and complexity to the characters and their relationships.”