a. [f. EXPOSTULATE + -IVE.] Aiming at or tending to expostulation.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., I. VII. vi. Maillard … repressive with the one hand, expostulative with the other, does his best.
Hence Expostulatively adv., in an expostulative manner.
1850. Spirit of Times (N.Y.), 17 Aug., 307/2. The old lady … commenced a nasal examination of his person. Dicky was surprised, and said, expostulatively—
‘Darn ye, old lady, don’t you know it’s the Gov’nor?’
1888. Louisa Parr, in Longm. Mag., April, 635. ‘What’s the harm?’ responded the young gentleman expostulatively.
