Word of the Day

: May 14, 2010

substantive

adjective SUB-stun-tiv

What It Means

: having substance : involving matters of major or practical importance to all concerned

substantive in Context

“There are substantive gestures available to a President that do not involve the use of force or photo ops.” (Joe Klein, Time, December 8, 2008)

Did You Know?

"Substantive" was borrowed into Middle English from the Anglo-French adjective "sustentif," meaning "having or expressing substance," and can be traced back to the Latin verb "substare," which literally means "to stand under." Figuratively, the meaning of "substare" is best understood as "to stand firm" or "to hold out." Since the 14th century, we have used "substantive" to speak of that which is of enough "substance" to stand alone, or be independent. By the 19th century the word evolved related meanings, such as "enduring" and "essential." It also shares some senses with "substantial," such as "considerable in quantity."