privative

[ priv-uh-tiv ]

adjective

1. causing, or tending to cause, deprivation.
2. consisting in or characterized by the taking away, loss, or lack of something.
3. Grammar. indicating negation or absence.

noun

1. Grammar. a privative element, as a- in asymmetric.
2. something that is deprived.

privative

/ ˈprɪvətɪv /

adjective

1. causing privation
2. expressing lack or negation, as for example the English suffix -less and prefix un-
3. obsolete.
   logic (of a proposition) that predicates a logical privation

Derived Forms

• ˈprivatively, adverb

Other Words From

• priva·tive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of privative¹

1350–1400; Middle English privatif < Latin prīvātīvus. See private, -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of privative¹

C16: from Latin prīvātīvus indicating loss, negative

Example Sentences

The evil in matter is due to its negative or privative aspect as the formless, which makes it the cause of defect and evil.

From Project Gutenberg

Be-adab, unmannerly, a compound adjective (Hindustani) formed by prefixing the privative particle be- to the noun adab.

From Project Gutenberg

Name composed of - privative and , a bright surface, because the foliage is not shining.

From Project Gutenberg

Nearly as in Asclepias; but the hoods destitute of crest or horn (whence the name, from privative, and , a horn).

From Project Gutenberg

From - privative, and (Latin jugum), yoke, from the seeming absence of a yoke-fellow to the lower lip of the corolla.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adverse
• gloomy
• pessimistic
• unfavorable
• weak