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DictionaryRoot: -ativus
Latin

-ativus

having a tendency or connection with an action

Forms

  • -ativus
  • -ative — The Latin ending shortened in later languages.

Origin

Latin combined material from verbs in -are with the descriptive ending -ivus.

Note

It usually describes a tendency or relation rather than naming an action itself.

11 / 17
Guide explains volcano model.
adjective

informative

in-FOR-muh-tiv/ɪnˈfɔːrmətɪv/

Providing useful or interesting information.

Etymology
inLatinin, into, on, upon
+formLatinshape or give form to
+ativeLatinhaving a tendency or connection with an action

The shaping base had a figurative sense of training or instructing. With its adjective ending, informative describes something that serves this instructive function by providing useful knowledge or facts.

Full entry

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