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genitive
[ jen-i-tiv ]
/ ˈdʒɛn ɪ tɪv /
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adjective
(in certain inflected languages) noting a case of nouns, pronouns, or adjectives, used primarily to express possession, measure, or origin: as John's hat, week's vacation, duty's call.
noting an affix or other element characteristic of this case, or a word containing such an element.
similar to such a case form in function or meaning.
noun
the genitive case.
a word in the genitive case.
a construction noting this case or the relationship usually expressed by it.
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Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?
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Compare possessive.
Origin of genitive
1350–1400; Middle English <Medieval Latin genitīvus, equivalent to genit(us) (past participle of gignere to beget) + -īvus-ive
OTHER WORDS FROM genitive
gen·i·ti·val [jen-i-tahy-vuhl], /ˌdʒɛn ɪˈtaɪ vəl/, adjectivegen·i·ti·val·ly, adverbun·gen·i·tive, adjectiveWords nearby genitive
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use genitive in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for genitive
genitive
/ (ˈdʒɛnɪtɪv) grammar /
adjective
denoting a case of nouns, pronouns, and adjectives in inflected languages used to indicate a relation of ownership or association, usually translated by English of
noun
- the genitive case
- a word or speech element in this case
Derived forms of genitive
genitival (ˌdʒɛnɪˈtaɪvəl), adjectivegenitivally, adverbWord Origin for genitive
C14: from Latin genetīvus relating to birth, from gignere to produce
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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