stative

American  

[stey-tiv] / ˈsteɪ tɪv /

adjective

Grammar.

1. (of a verb) expressing a state or condition, as like, want, or believe, and usually used in simple, not progressive, tenses.

   I liked them. I want some. I will never believe it.

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stative British  

/ ˈsteɪtɪv /

adjective

1. denoting a verb describing a state rather than an activity, act, or event, such as know and want as opposed to leave and throw Compare nonstative

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noun

1. a stative verb

Etymology

Origin of stative

1625–35; < New Latin statīvus, Latin, equivalent to stat ( us ) (past participle of stāre to stand ) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

Stative, stā′tiv, adj. standing still, pertaining to a permanent camp: indicating a physical state or reflex action, of certain Hebrew verbs.

From Project Gutenberg

Indistinct!—why, the great station at Ardoch, or that at Burnswark in Annandale, may be clearer, doubtless, because they are stative forts, whereas this was only an occasional encampment.

From Project Gutenberg