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illative

[ il-uh-tiv, ih-ley-tiv ]

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or expressing illation; inferential:

    an illative word such as “therefore.”

  2. Grammar. noting a case, as in Finnish, whose distinctive function is to indicate place into or toward which.


noun

  1. Grammar. the illative case.

illative

/ ɪˈleɪtɪv /

adjective

  1. of or relating to illation; inferential
  2. grammar denoting a word or morpheme used to signal inference, for example so or therefore
  3. (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 into or towards Compare elative
“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

noun

  1. grammar
    1. the illative case
    2. an illative word or speech element
“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
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Derived Forms

  • ilˈlatively, adverb
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Other Words From

  • illa·tive·ly adverb
  • non·illa·tive adjective
  • non·illa·tive·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of illative1

1585–95; < Late Latin illātīvus, equivalent to illāt- ( illation ) + -īvus -ive
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Word History and Origins

Origin of illative1

C16: from Late Latin illātīvus inferring, concluding
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Example Sentences

I admit, indeed, that the illative faculty works under rules upon which choice and inclination ought to exercise no influence whatever.

It is the so-called illative relation, the relation which obtains between two classes when one is subsumed under the other, or between two statements, or two decisions, when one implies or entails the other.

Dr. Newman asserts that certainty is a quality of propositions, and he has discovered in man 'an illative sense' whereby conclusions are converted into dogmas and a measured concurrence into an unlimited and absolute assurance.

Stepping by 'illative conversion,' 'six rules to be observed with respect to categorical syllogism' next demand attention, followed hard by eleven moods which can be used in a legitimate syllogism, Viz.——

Sometimes, I say, this illative faculty is nothing short of genius.

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