Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Formative
Form′a-tive
,Adj.
[Cf. F.
formatif
.] 1.
Giving form; having the power of giving form; plastic;
as, the
. formative
artsThe meanest plant can not be raised without seed, by any
formative
residing in the soil. Bentley.
2.
(Gram.)
Serving to form; derivative; not radical;
as, a termination merely
. formative
3.
(Biol.)
Capable of growth and development; germinal;
as, living or
. formative
matterForm′a-tive
,Noun.
(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.
Webster 1828 Edition
Formative
FORM'ATIVE
, a.1.
Giving form; having the power of giving form; plastic.The meanest plant cannot be raised without seeds, by any formative power residing in the soil.
2.
In grammar, serving to form; derivative; not radical; as a termination merely formative.