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substantive - 7 dictionary results

sub⋅stan⋅tive

[suhb-stuhn-tiv]
–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


sub⋅stan⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
sub⋅stan⋅tive⋅ness, noun
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.

Substantive

Sub"stan*tive\, a. [L. substantivus: cf. F. substantif.]

1. Betokening or expressing existence; as, the substantive verb, that is, the verb to be.

2. Depending on itself; independent.

He considered how sufficient and substantive this land was to maintain itself without any aid of the foreigner. --Bacon.

3. Enduring; solid; firm; substantial.

Strength and magnitude are qualities which impress the imagination in a powerful and substantive manner. --Hazlitt.

4. Pertaining to, or constituting, the essential part or principles; as, the law substantive.

Noun substantive (Gram.), a noun which designates an object, material or immaterial; a substantive.

Substantive color, one which communicates its color without the aid of a mordant or base; -- opposed to adjective color.

Substantive

Sub"stan*tive\, n. [Cf. F. substantif.] (Gram.) A noun or name; the part of speech which designates something that exists, or some object of thought, either material or immaterial; as, the words man, horse, city, goodness, excellence, are substantives.

Substantive

Sub"stan*tive\, v. t. To substantivize. [R.] --Cudworth.

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."
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