definitions

portative

[ pawr-tuh-tiv, pohr- ]
/ ˈpɔr tə tɪv, ˈpoʊr- /

adjective

capable of being carried; portable.
having or pertaining to the power or function of carrying.

noun

Also called portative organ. a small portable pipe organ used especially during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

RELATED CONTENT

Kindness Quotes That Will Forever Melt Your HeartRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
What Is The Difference Between “Gender” And “Sex”?Because we're most often talking about human beings when we use these terms, it's critical we get them straight.
READ MORE

Nearby words

portal-systemic encephalopathy, portal-to-portal, portal-to-portal pay, portamento, portance, portative, portative organ, portcullis, porte, porte-cochere, portend

Origin of portative

1350–1400; Middle English portatif < Middle French. See port5, -ative
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for portative organ (1 of 2)

portative organ

noun

music a small portable organ with arm-operated bellows popular in medieval times

British Dictionary definitions for portative organ (2 of 2)

portative

/ (ˈpɔːtətɪv) /

adjective

a less common word for portable
concerned with the act of carrying

Word Origin for portative

C14: from French, from Latin portāre to carry
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