Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

ethical dative

noun
Save Word

Definition of ethical dative

: a colloquial use of the dative of a pronoun for a person to whom it imputes a vague concern with the matter in question (such as German mir, literally “for me,” in bleibe mir nur gesund, “I just hope you stay well”)

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of ethical dative

1849, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about ethical dative

Time Traveler for ethical dative

Time Traveler

The first known use of ethical dative was in 1849

See more words from the same year

Statistics for ethical dative

Cite this Entry

“Ethical dative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethical%20dative. Accessed 29 May. 2020.

Comments on ethical dative

What made you want to look up ethical dative? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

assail

Listen to the pronunciation of assail

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

May 2020 Words of the Day Quiz

  • a blooming wisteria tree
  • Which is a synonym of exiguous?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games