privative adjective & noun. ['prɪvǝtɪv] L16.
[French privatif, -ive or Latin privativus denoting privation, from privat-: see PRIVATION, -IVE.]
A. adjective.
1. Having the quality of depriving a person or thing. L16.

2. Consisting in or characterized by the removal of or lack of some attribute normally or properly present; gen. characterized by the absence of a quality. L16.
b. Of a term: denoting privation or absence of a quality or attribute. M17.

3. Grammar. Of a particle or affix: expressing privation or negation. L16.
b. noun. A privative attribute, quality, proposition, or particle. L16.

■ privatively adverb (a) to the deprivation or exclusion of others; (b) by the removal or absence of something; negatively: LME.

■ privativeness noun (rare) M17.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲