Lewis & Short

dēmonstrātĭo, ōnis, f. [demonstro], a showing or pointing out, as with the finger, an indication, description, designation.

  1. I. In gen. (good prose): gestus universam rem et sententiam non demonstratione sed significatione declarans, Cic. de Or. 3, 59: conversam habere, id. Verr. 2, 4, 59: hujus generis demonstratio est, et doctrina ipsa vulgaris, id. de Or. 3, 55, 209: temporum horum, Plin. 4, 13, 27, § 93.
    In plur., Cic. Fin. 4, 5, 13.
  2. II. In partic.
    1. A. In rhetor.
      1. 1. The demonstrative or laudatory kind of oratory, i. q. demonstrativum genus, Cic. Inv. 1, 9, 12; Quint. 3, 4, 13; 11, 3, 115.
      2. 2. A vivid delineation, picturesque presentation, Gr. διατύπωσις ἐνέργεια, Auct. Her. 4, 55, 68; cf. Quint. 9, 2, 40.
    2. B. In jurisprud., a clear and complete declaration of one’s will, Dig. 35, tit. 1: de condicionibus et demonstrationibus, Gai. ib. 17; ib. 30, 1, 74.
        1. b. The bounding or limiting of a place, Dig. 8, 1, 13; 10, 1, 12.