privative

American  

[priv-uh-tiv] / ˈprɪv ə tɪv /

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 British  

/ 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

---

Other Word Forms

• privatively adverb

Etymology

Origin of privative

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

Example Sentences

But Dr Bhar, a cosmetic surgeon who runs a privative clinic in Harley Street London, disagrees with the ban.

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2022

Here also it is demonstrated how the privative nature of evil should be understood.

From Theodicy Essays on the Goodness of God, the Freedom of Man and the Origin of Evil by Huggard, E.M.

As has been shown in the first chapter, every thought is made up of a positive and a privative, and it is absurd and unnatural to separate the one from the other.

From The Religious Sentiment Its Source and Aim: A Contribution to the Science and Philosophy of Religion by Brinton, Daniel Garrison

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

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

Related Words

• adverse
• gloomy
• pessimistic
• unfavorable
• weak