Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Substantive?

\Sub"stan*tive\, a. [L. substantivus: cf. F. substantif.] 1. Betokening or expressing existence; as, the substantive verb, that is, the verb to be. 2. Depending on itself; independent. He considered how sufficient and substantive this land was to maintain itself without any aid of the foreigner. --Bacon. 3. Enduring; solid; firm; substantial. Strength and magnitude are qualities which impress the imagination in a powerful and substantive manner. --Hazlitt. 4. Pertaining to, or constituting, the essential part or principles; as, the law substantive. {Noun substantive} (Gram.), a noun which designates an object, material or immaterial; a substantive. {Substantive color}, one which communicates its color without the aid of a mordant or base; -- opposed to adjective color.
\Sub"stan*tive\, n. [Cf. F. substantif.] (Gram.) A noun or name; the part of speech which designates something that exists, or some object of thought, either material or immaterial; as, the words man, horse, city, goodness, excellence, are substantives.
\Sub"stan*tive\, v. t. To substantivize. [R.] --Cudworth.