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causative


caus·a·tive

adj \ˈkȯ-zə-tiv\

Definition of CAUSATIVE

1
: effective or operating as a cause or agent <causative bacteria of cholera>
2
: expressing causation; specifically : being a linguistic form that indicates that the subject causes an act to be performed or a condition to come into being
— causative noun
— caus·a·tive·ly adverb
See causative defined for English-language learners »

Examples of CAUSATIVE

  1. A virus was found to be the causative agent of smallpox.

First Known Use of CAUSATIVE

15th century

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