substantive [suhb -stuh n-tiv]
Examples Word Origin
a noun. a pronoun or other word or phrase functioning or inflected like a noun. Show More
Grammar pertaining to substantives. used in a sentence like a noun: a substantive adjective. expressing existence: “to be” is a substantive verb. having independent existence; independent. belonging to the real nature or essential part of a thing; essential. real or actual. of considerable amount or quantity. possessing substance; having practical importance, value, or effect: substantive issues under discussion. Law pertaining to the rules of right which courts are called on to apply, as distinguished from rules of procedure (opposed to adjective ). (of dye colors) attaching directly to the material without the aid of a mordant (opposed to adjective ). Show More
Origin of substantive 1350–1400; Middle English <
Late Latin substantīvus, equivalent to
Latin substant(ia )
substance +
-īvus -ive Related forms sub·stan·tive·ly , adverb sub·stan·tive·ness , noun non·sub·stan·tive , adjective non·sub·stan·tive·ly , adverb non·sub·stan·tive·ness , noun un·sub·stan·tive , adjective Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for substantively Contemporary Examples of substantively Instead of substantively responding to these failed expectations, the ACE takes a spin-cycle approach.
Instead, busing was a failure—conceptually and substantively —because of faulty liberal assumptions.
Substantively , as opposed to stylistically, there was no New Left.
Substantively , I think he pretty well signaled that the Justice Department isn't going to take up this case.
Substantively , Tzohar has shown little interest in improving the lives of ordinary Israelis, much less Israeli women.
Historical Examples of substantively In linking these adjectives, you will realize one of my infatuations wherever they are substantively found.
Fleury differs a little from this legend, but has substantively preserved it.
The priests are generally the most crafty of men, and many among them are substantively wicked.
He would have been ugly, he substantively granted, had he not been happy; he would have been dangerous had he not been warranted.
British Dictionary definitions for substantively grammar a noun or pronoun used in place of a noun Show More
of, relating to, containing, or being the essential element of a thing having independent function, resources, or existence of substantial quantity solid in foundation or basis grammar denoting, relating to, or standing in place of a noun (səbˈstæntɪv ) relating to the essential legal principles administered by the courts, as opposed to practice and procedure Compare adjective (def. 3) (səbˈstæntɪv ) (of a dye or colour) staining the material directly without use of a mordant Show More
Abbreviation: s , sb , subst
Derived Forms substantival (ˌsʌbstənˈtaɪvə l ), adjective substantivally , adverb substantively , adverb substantiveness , noun Word Origin for substantive C15: from Late Latin substantīvus, from Latin substāre to stand beneath; see substance
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for substantively adj. late 15c., "standing by itself," from Old French substantif , from Late Latin substantivum , neuter of Latin substantivus "of substance or being," from substantia (see substance ). The grammatical term (late 14c.) was introduced by the French to denote the noun in contradistinction to the adjective, from Latin nomen substantivum "name or word of substance."
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
