dative

1 of 2

adjective

da·​tive ˈdā-tiv How to pronounce dative (audio)
: of, relating to, or being a grammatical case (see case entry 1 sense 3a) that typically marks the indirect object of a verb, the object of some prepositions, or a person or thing that possesses someone or something else

dative

2 of 2

noun

: a dative case or form

Examples of dative in a Sentence

Noun a noun in the dative

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English datif, from Latin dativus, from datus

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dative was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near dative

Cite this Entry

“Dative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dative. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dative

adjective
da·​tive
ˈdāt-iv
: of, relating to, or being the grammatical case that marks typically the indirect object of a verb or the object of some prepositions
dative noun

Legal Definition

dative

adjective
da·​tive ˈdā-tiv How to pronounce dative (audio)
1
in the civil law of Louisiana
2
: appointed by a judge
3
: established by judicial appointment
dative tutorship
Etymology

Adjective

Medieval Latin dativus subject to appointment, from Latin, assigned (of a guardian), from datus, past participle of dare to give

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