factive

[ fak-tiv ]

adjective

1. (of a verb, adjective, or noun phrase) presupposing the truth of an embedded sentence that serves as complement, as realize in I didn't realize that he had left, which presupposes that it is true that he had left.

noun

1. a factive expression.

factive

/ ˈfæktɪv /

adjective

1. logic linguistics philosophy (of a linguistic context) giving rise to the presupposition that a sentence occurring in that context is true, as John regrets that Mary did not attend

Other Words From

• fac·tivi·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of factive¹

First recorded in 1605–15; fact + -ive

Example Sentences

Even so within the mind of man we may discern a triple series—the factive, practical, and speculative intellects.

From Project Gutenberg