dative

1 of 2

adjective

da·​tive ˈdā-tiv 

: 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

Phrases Containing dative

• dative bond

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 

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