privative
Americanadjective
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causing, or tending to cause, deprivation.
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consisting in or characterized by the taking away, loss, or lack of something.
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Grammar. indicating negation or absence.
noun
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Grammar. a privative element, as a- in asymmetric.
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something that is deprived.
adjective
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causing privation
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expressing lack or negation, as for example the English suffix -less and prefix un-
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obsolete logic (of a proposition) that predicates a logical privation
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of privative
1350–1400; Middle English privatif < Latin prīvātīvus. See private, -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.
But Dr Bhar, a cosmetic surgeon who runs a privative clinic in Harley Street London, disagrees with the ban.
From BBC • Jan. 25, 2022
The class of propositions referred to do more than this, inasmuch as they present alternative conceptions, mutually exhaustive, each the privative of the other.
From The Religious Sentiment Its Source and Aim: A Contribution to the Science and Philosophy of Religion by Brinton, Daniel Garrison
These are the "Sif�t-i-Sab�tiah," or affirmative attributes, the privation of which would imply loss; there are also Sif�t-i-Salbiah, or privative attributes, such as—God has no form, is not limited by place, has no equal, &c.
From The Faith of Islam by Sell, Edward
E: as prefix, is privative and means without.
From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by Smith, John. B.
It is French influence which has disguised it in such words as affray, amend, escape, escheat, essay, &c.—Ex- has a privative sense in ex-emperor, ex-mayor.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
