Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

substantive

 - 4 dictionary results

sub⋅stan⋅tive

  [suhb-stuhn-tiv]
Use substantive in a Sentence
–noun Grammar.
1. a noun.
2. a pronoun or other word or phrase functioning or inflected like a noun.
–adjective
3. Grammar.
a. pertaining to substantives.
b. used in a sentence like a noun: a substantive adjective.
c. expressing existence: “to be” is a substantive verb.
4. having independent existence; independent.
5. belonging to the real nature or essential part of a thing; essential.
6. real or actual.
7. of considerable amount or quantity.
8. possessing substance; having practical importance, value, or effect: substantive issues under discussion.
9. Law. pertaining to the rules of right which courts are called on to apply, as distinguished from rules of procedure (opposed to adjective ).
10. (of dye colors) attaching directly to the material without the aid of a mordant (opposed to adjective ).
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < LL substantīvus, equiv. to L substant(ia) substance + -īvus -ive

Related forms:
sub⋅stan⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
sub⋅stan⋅tive⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To substantive
sub·stan·tive   (sŭb'stən-tĭv)   
adj.  

  1. Substantial; considerable.

  2. Independent in existence or function; not subordinate.

  3. Not imaginary; actual; real.

  4. Of or relating to the essence or substance; essential: substantive information.

  5. Having a solid basis; firm.

  6. Grammar Expressing or designating existence; for example, the verb to be.

  7. Grammar Designating a noun or noun equivalent.

n.   Grammar
A word or group of words functioning as a noun.

[Middle English substantif, self-sufficient, independent, from Old French, substantive, from Late Latin substantīvus, from Latin substantia, substance; see substance.]
sub'stan·tive·ly adv., sub'stan·tive·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

substantive 
c.1470, "standing by itself," from O.Fr. substantif, from L.L. substantivum, neut. of L. substantivus "of substance or being," from substantia (see substance). The grammatical term (1393) was introduced by the Fr. to denote the noun in contradistinction to the adjective, from L. nomen substantivum "name or word of substance."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: sub·stan·tive
Pronunciation: 's&b-st&n-tiv
Function: adjective
1 : of or relating to a matter of substance as opposed to form or procedure substantive issue> substantive instructions to the jury> substantive grounds> —compare PROCEDURAL
2 : affecting rights, duties, or causes of actions substantive statutory change> substantive rule of law>
3 : existing in its own right; specifically : of or relating to a substantive crime substantive RICO provision —United States v. Elliot, 571 Federal Reporter, Second Series 880 (1978)>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see substantive on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way