significative

[sig-nif-i-key-tiv]

adjective

1. serving to signify.

2. significant; suggestive.

Other Word Forms

• significatively adverb
• significativeness noun
• nonsignificative adjective
• unsignificative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of significative¹

1350–1400; Middle English (< Old French significatif, significative ) < Late Latin significātīvus denoting, equivalent to Latin significāt ( us ) (past participle of significāre to make a sign; signify, -ate ¹ ) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

The second class may be termed significative, being imposed to distinguish their bearers from others by some quality.

From Project Gutenberg

Beside the very significative absence of real violence, the persistent effort you made to hide facts accuses you.

From Project Gutenberg

"I have it from very good authority," replied Cloten, with a significative wink of the eye towards that part of the room where Emily was standing in conversation with Helen.

From Project Gutenberg

Experience, as memory and literature rehearse it, remains nearer to us than that: it is something dreamful, passionate, dramatic, and significative.

From Project Gutenberg

These also are no less frequent and significative.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• hidden 
• implicit 
• indirect 
• latent 
• lurking 
• tacit 
• unspoken