| disjunctive conjunction |
| Definition:
A conjunction, such as but, that (1) expresses a choice between two mutually exclusive possibilities or (2) establishes a contrasting or opposing relationship. |
| Example: The boy was quick-witted but slow-footed. |
| Etymology: It derives from the Latin disjungere, separate. |
| Oxford English Dictionary: The word's first OED citation is from 1628: "That axiome is disiunct, whose band is a disiunctiue Coniunction." (T. Spencer, Logick, 244) |
| Quotation:
"With the earlier grammarians the division of Conjunctions into Copulative and Disjunctive was made a main one. It is, however, of grammatical importance … only in the Coordinative Conjunctions, of which and is Copulative, while the Alternative or, nor, and the Adversative but, yet, are Disjunctive. Of the Subordinative Conjunctions, the Causal lest, the Hypothetical unless, and the Concessive although, are also disjunctive in sense; but in their grammatical use these do not differ from the Copulative that, if, because, as, since."
(Source: Oxford English Dictionary s.v. disjunctive (3)) |