Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DEM'ON-STRATE, v.t. [L. demonstro; de and monstro, to show; Fr. demontrer; Sp. and Port. demostrar; It. dimostrare. See Muster.]

1. To show or prove to be certain; to prove beyond the possibility of doubt; to prove in such a manner as to reduce the contrary position to evident absurdity. We demonstrate a problem in geometry, or a proposition in ethics, by showing that the contrary is absurd or impossible.
2. In anatomy, to exhibit the parts when dissected.