(in certain inflected languages, as Sanskrit, Latin, and Russian) noting a case having as its function the indication of the subject of a finite verb, as in Latin Nauta bonus est “The sailor is good,” with nauta “sailor” in the nominative case.
b.
similar to such a case in function or meaning.
2.
nominated; appointed by nomination.
3.
made out in a person's name, as a certificate or security.
–noun Grammar.
4.
the nominative case.
5.
a word in the nominative case.
6.
a form or construction of similar function or meaning.
Origin: 1350–1400; < L nominātīvus (see nominate, -ive), r. ME nominatif < MF < L as above
Having or bearing a person's name: nominative shares.
(-nə-tĭv) Grammar Of, relating to, or being the case of the subject of a finite verb (as I in I wrote the letter) and of words identified with the subject of a copula, such as a predicate nominative (as children in These are his children).
1387, "grammatical case dealing with the subject of a verb," from M.Fr. nominatif, from L. nominativus "pertaining to naming," from nominatus, pp. of nominare (see nominate).