essive

[es-iv]

adjective

1. noting a case, as in Finnish, whose distinctive function is to indicate a state of being.

noun

1. the essive case.

Word History and Origins

Origin of essive¹

1900–05; < Finnish essivi < Latin ess ( e ) to be + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

"Member how she used to tell us how she wasn't a tree as couldn't be transplanted, and how she was a libin' soul, and a p'og'essive sperrit, and how she wanted to see somefin' ob dis worl' she libbed in afore she parted hence and beed no more," said another.

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