Formative — Form a*tive, a. [Cf. F. formatif.] 1. Giving form; having the power of giving form; plastic; as, the formative arts. [1913 Webster] The meanest plant can not be raised without seed, by any formative residing in the soil. Bentley. [1913 Webster] 2 … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
formative — [fôr′mə tiv] adj. [OFr formatif < ML formativus < L formatus, pp. of formare: see FORM] 1. giving or able to give form; helping to shape, develop, or mold [the formative influence of a teacher] 2. of formation or development [a child s… … English World dictionary
Formative — Form a*tive, n. (Gram.) (a) That which serves merely to give form, and is no part of the radical, as the prefix or the termination of a word. (b) A word formed in accordance with some rule or usage, as from a root. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
formative — index causal, causative, constructive (creative), original (initial), pliable, primary, prime ( … Law dictionary
formative — (adj.) late 15c., from M.Fr. formatif, from L. format , pp. stem of formare (see FORM (Cf. form) (n.)) … Etymology dictionary
formative — [adj] influential, impressionable determinative, developmental, immature, impressible, malleable, moldable, pliant, sensitive, shaping, susceptible; concepts 534,537 Ant. destructive, noninfluential … New thesaurus
formative — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ serving to form something, especially having a profound influence on a person s development. DERIVATIVES formatively adverb … English terms dictionary
formative — for|ma|tive [ˈfo:mətıv US ˈfo:r ] adj [only before noun] having an important influence on the way someone or something develops formative years/period/stages etc (=the period when someone s character develops) ▪ He exposed his children to music… … Dictionary of contemporary English
formative — I. adjective Date: 15th century 1. a. giving or capable of giving form ; constructive < a formative influence > b. used in word formation or inflection 2. capable of alteration by growth and development; also producing new cells and tissues 3. of … New Collegiate Dictionary
formative — adjective (only before noun) having an important influence on the way someone s character develops : formative influence/effect etc: Parents have the greatest formative effect on their childrens behaviour. | formative years/period/stages etc… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
