substantive

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Old French substantif.

Pronunciation

  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈsʌbstəntɪv/, /səbˈstæntɪv/

Adjective

substantive (comparative more substantive, superlative most substantive)

  1. Of the essence or essential element of a thing; as, "substantive information".
    • 2012 October 6, “The first presidential debate: Back in the centre, back in the game”, in The Economist:
      In one sense the first debate achieved the worst of all worlds: it managed to be technical, even dull, without being substantive or especially honest.
    Synonyms: essential, in essence
  2. Having substance; enduring; solid; firm; substantial.
    • 1836 [1829], William Hazlitt, “Definition of wit”, in Literary Remains of the Late William Hazlitt, page 19:
      Once more then, strength and magnitude are qualities which impress the imagination in a powerful and substantive manner;
    Synonyms: meaty, substantial
    Antonym: superficial
  3. (law) Applying to essential legal principles and rules of right; as, "substantive law".
    Antonyms: adjective, procedural
  4. (chemistry) Of a dye that does not need the use of a mordant to be made fast to that which is being dyed.
    Antonym: adjective
  5. Depending on itself; independent.
    • 1765 [1627], Francis Bacon, “New Atlantis”, in The Works of Francis Bacon, page 356:
      He therefore taking into consideration, how sufficient and substantive this land was to maintain itself without any aid at all of the foreigner,
  6. (grammar) Used like a noun substantive.
    Synonym: substantival
  7. (military, of a rank or appointment) Actually and legally held, as distinct from an acting, temporary or honorary rank or appointment.

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

substantive (plural substantives)

  1. (grammar) A word that names a person, place, thing or idea; a noun (sensu stricto). [from 16th c.]
    Synonyms: noun (sensu stricto), noun substantive
    Hypernym: noun (sensu lato)

Alternative forms

  • subst. (abbreviation used in lexicography and grammar)

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

substantive (third-person singular simple present substantives, present participle substantiving, simple past and past participle substantived)

  1. (grammar, very rare) To make a word belonging to another part of speech into a substantive (that is, a noun) or use it as a noun.
    Synonyms: substantivize, nominalize

French

Adjective

substantive

  1. feminine singular of substantif

Interlingue

Etymology

Pronunciation

Noun

substantive

  1. noun

Latin

Adjective

substantīve

  1. vocative masculine singular of substantīvus

Portuguese

Verb

substantive

  1. first-person singular (eu) present subjunctive of substantivar
  2. third-person singular (ele and ela, also used with você and others) present subjunctive of substantivar
  3. third-person singular (você) affirmative imperative of substantivar
  4. third-person singular (você) negative imperative of substantivar

Romanian

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): [sub.stanˈti.ve]

Noun

substantive

  1. plural of substantiv
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