privative
[ priv-uh-tiv ]
/ ˈprɪv ə tɪv /
adjective
causing, or tending to cause, deprivation.
consisting in or characterized by the taking away, loss, or lack of something.
Grammar. indicating negation or absence.
noun
Grammar. a privative element, as a- in asymmetric.
something that is deprived.
RELATED CONTENT
RELATED WORDS
unfavorable, adverse, pessimistic, gloomy, weak, resisting, jaundiced, opposing, removed, contrary, con, recusant, refusing, anti, dissenting, denying, against, antagonistic, balky
Nearby words
- privateersman,
- privately,
- privation,
- privatisation,
- privatism,
- privatively,
- privatization,
- privatization issue,
- privatize,
- privet
Origin of privative
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for privative
privative
/ (ˈprɪvətɪv) /
adjective
causing privation
expressing lack or negation, as for example the English suffix -less and prefix un-
logic obsolete (of a proposition) that predicates a logical privation
Word Origin for privative
C16: from Latin prīvātīvus indicating loss, negative
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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privative
1580s, "expressing negation" (as do the prefixes un-, a- (2), etc.), from Latin privativus "denoting privation, negative," from privatus, past participle of privare (see private).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper