English Explanatory Dictionary

dative

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Denoting the case of a noun which expresses the remoter or indirect object, generally indicated in English by to or for with the objective.
  2. In one’s gift; capable of being disposed of at will and pleasure, as an office or other privilege.
  3. Removable, as distinguished from perpetual; — said of an officer.
  4. Given by a judge, as distinguished from being cast upon a party by the law itself.
  5. Formed by two electrons contributed by one atom; see dative bond.
  6. Given in advance; not needed to be calculated.
noun
  1. The dative case.
  2. A word inflected in the dative case.

Pronunciation

dāt'ĭv /ˈdeɪtɪv/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-dative.wav

Word forms

dative datives

Etymology

From Latin datīvus (“appropriate for giving”), itself from datus (the past participle of dō (“to give”)) + -īvus (“-ive”).

Antonyms

quesitive

Derived words

dative alternation dative bond dative case dative executor datively dative of purpose dative shift dative sickness dativization dativize nondative dative absolute double dative ethical dative ethic dative partitive dative personal dative

Translations

Catalan: datiu Dutch: datief Portuguese: dativo
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