definitions

elative

[ ee-luh-tiv, el-uh- ]
/ ˈi lə tɪv, ˈɛl ə- /
Grammar

adjective

noting a case, as in Finnish, whose function is to indicate motion out of or away from.

noun

an elative case.
an adjectival form, as in Arabic, denoting intensity or superiority, approximately equivalent to the comparative and superlative of other languages.

Nearby words

elaterin, elaterite, elaterium, elath, elation, elative, elazig, elba, elbasan, elbe, elbe river

Origin of elative

1585–95; < Latin ēlāt(us) (see elate) + -ive
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for elative

elative

/ (ˈiːlətɪv) /

adjective

(in the grammar of Finnish and other languages) denoting a case of nouns expressing a relation of motion or direction, usually translated by the English prepositions out of or away fromCompare illative (def. 3)

noun

  1. the elative case
  2. an elative word or speech element

Word Origin for elative

C19: from Latin ēlātus, past participle of efferre to carry out; see elate
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012