privative

[ priv-uh-tiv ]
/ ˈprɪv ə tɪv /

adjective

causing, or tending to cause, deprivation.
consisting in or characterized by the taking away, loss, or lack of something.
Grammar. indicating negation or absence.

noun

Grammar. a privative element, as a- in asymmetric.
something that is deprived.

Origin of privative

1350–1400; Middle English privatif < Latin prīvātīvus. See private, -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM privative

priv·a·tive·ly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for privative

British Dictionary definitions for privative

privative
/ (ˈprɪvətɪv) /

adjective

causing privation
expressing lack or negation, as for example the English suffix -less and prefix un-
logic obsolete (of a proposition) that predicates a logical privation

Derived forms of privative

privatively, adverb

Word Origin for privative

C16: from Latin prīvātīvus indicating loss, negative