Dative definition
The dative case.
noun
(grammar) Noting the case of a noun which expresses the remoter or indirect object, generally indicated in English by to or for with the objective.
adjective
(grammar) The dative case.
noun
Of, relating to, or being the grammatical case that marks the recipient of action, that often indicates the indirect object of the verb, and that can be used with prepositions or other function words corresponding in meaning to English to and for.
adjective
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(gram.) Designating, of, or in the case of the indirect object of a finite verb.
adjective
A word or form in the dative case.
noun
A word or phrase in this case.
noun
The dative case: in English this case may be expressed analytically by to or by word order (Ex.: I gave the book to Jack, I gave him the book)
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun
Singular:
dative
Plural:
dativesOrigin of dative
- Middle English datif from Latin (cāsus) datīvus (case) of giving (translation of Greek dotikē ptōsis) from datus past participle of dare to give dō- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From Latin dativus (appropriate to giving), itself from datus (the past participle of dō (“I give”)) + -ivus (“-ive”).
From Wiktionary