privative Hear it!

privative Definition

priva·tive (priv′ə tiv)

adjective

  1. depriving or tending to deprive
  2. characterized by a taking away or loss of some quality
  3. Gram. indicating negation, absence, or loss

Etymology: L privativus < pp. of privare: see private

noun

Gram. a privative term or affix, as a- (sense ), un-, non-, or -less

privative Related Forms
priv′a·tively adverb
privative Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • jurisdiction: Whilst small claims limits should be increased, personal injury cases should remain a privative jurisdiction to the Court of Session.
  • clause: In this decision the High Court considered a privative clause inserted into the Migration Act 1958 in 2001.