nominative

American  

[nom-uh-nuh-tiv, nom-nuh-, nom-uh-ney-tiv] / ˈnɒm ə nə tɪv, ˈnɒm nə-, ˈnɒm əˌneɪ tɪv /

adjective

1. Grammar.

   1. (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.

   2. 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.

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noun

Grammar.

1. the nominative case.

2. a word in the nominative case.

3. a form or construction of similar function or meaning.

nominative British  

/ ˈnɒmɪnətɪv, ˌnɒmɪnəˈtaɪvəl, ˌnɒmnə-, ˈnɒmnə- /

adjective

1. grammar denoting a case of nouns and pronouns in inflected languages that is used esp to identify the subject of a finite verb See also subjective

2. appointed rather than elected to a position, office, etc

3. bearing the name of a person

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noun

1. grammar

   1. the nominative case

   2. a word or speech element in the nominative case

Other Word Forms

• nominatival
  adjective
• nominatively
  adverb
• unnominative
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of nominative

1350–1400; < Latin nominātīvus ( see nominate, -ive), replacing Middle English nominatif < Middle French < Latin as above

Example Sentences

Nominative determinism: With Craig Overton replacing Jake Ball in England’s XI, who are cricket’s other examples of nominative determinism?

From The Guardian • Dec. 1, 2017

Nominative determinism is a term coined by the New Scientist, referring to when people's names reflect, perhaps even determine, their job or their interests.

From The Guardian • Sep. 8, 2010

They always have -ī in the Ablative Singular, -ia in the Nominative, Accusative, and Vocative Plural, and -ium in the Genitive Plural, thus holding more steadfastly to the i-character than do Masculine and Feminine ĭ-Stems.

From New Latin Grammar by Bennett, Charles E. (Charles Edwin)

The following Nouns form their Nominative Plural irregularly: Dia m.

From Elements of Gaelic Grammar by Stewart, Alexander

Genitive is formed from the Nominative, by inserting i after the characteristic vowel, as, b�s mas. death, Gen. sing. b�is; fuaran m. a fountain, g. s. fuarain; clarsach f. a harp, g. s. clarsaich.

From Elements of Gaelic Grammar by Stewart, Alexander