All 4 Uses of

demonstrate

in

Cold Sassy Tree

If Mr. Blakeslee and I learn to drive, between us and you and your daddy there'll always be somebody around to demonstrate.†
*

demonstrate = show

I didn't know how I'd have time to go to school, give driving lessons, demonstrate cars, groom the Cadillac for Papa and the Pierce for Grandpa and the horse for Miss Love, and be Mama's colored boy and Grandpa's stockboy at the store.†

If Miss Love managed to learn, I didn't think any gentleman customer would ride with her for a demonstration.†

Lord, smart as Hosie was, it wouldn't be any time before he'd know how to drive and start taking people out for demonstration rides.†

Definitions:

(1) (demonstrate as in: It demonstrates my point.)
to show
The exact meaning of this sense of demonstrate can depend upon its context. For example:
- "I will demonstrate how to throw a Frisbee." -- show how to do something
- "I will demonstrate how much quicker the new computer is than the old one." -- show how something works
- "Her questioned demonstrated that she was listening and thinking deeply about what was said." -- showed to be true or proved
(2) (demonstrate as in: demonstrate to protest)
a public display supporting a cause -- usually joining with others in a political protest
(3) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)