illative
Americanadjective
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of, relating to, or expressing illation; inferential.
an illative word such as “therefore.”
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Grammar. noting a case, as in Finnish, whose distinctive function is to indicate place into or toward which.
noun
adjective
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of or relating to illation; inferential
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grammar denoting a word or morpheme used to signal inference, for example so or therefore
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(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
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of illative
1585–95; < Late Latin illātīvus, equivalent to illāt- ( see illation) + -īvus -ive
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Men become personal when logic fails; it is their mode of appealing to their own primary elements of thought, and their own illative sense, against the principles and the judgment of another.
From An Essay In Aid Of A Grammar Of Assent by John Henry Newman
The common relations between sentences indicated by conjunctions are coördinative, subordinative, adversative, concessive, and illative.
From English: Composition and Literature by W. F. (William Franklin) Webster
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.
From Res Judicat? Papers and Essays by Augustine Birrell
The illative fe also marks repetition or restoration or continuance; it is followed by the adverb lau again: na abana e fe boeboela lau his hand was restored whole.
From Grammar and Vocabulary of the Lau Language, Solomon Islands by W. G. (Walter George) Ivens
Sometimes, I say, this illative faculty is nothing short of genius.
From An Essay In Aid Of A Grammar Of Assent by John Henry Newman
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