Category:Dative

Da"tive, a. Etym: [L. dativus appropriate to giving, fr. dare to give. See 2d Date.]

1. (Gram.)

Defn: Noting the case of a noun which expresses the remoter object, and is generally indicated in English by to or for with the objective.

2. (Law) (a) In one's gift; capable of being disposed of at will and pleasure, as an office. (b) Removable, as distinguished from perpetual; -- said of an officer. (c) Given by a magistrate, as distinguished from being cast upon a party by the law. Burril. Bouvier. Dative executor, one appointed by the judge of probate, his office answering to that of an administrator.

dative Da"tive, n. Etym: [L. dativus.]

Defn: The dative case. See Dative, a.,

1.