How Do You Spell PRIVATIVE?

Pronunciation: [pɹˈa͡ɪvətˌɪv] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "privative" can be easily explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription. The IPA transcription for "privative" is /ˈprɪvətɪv/. This word is spelled with the letter "p" at the beginning, followed by the letters "r", "i", "v", "a", "t", "i", and "v". The stress is on the second syllable of the word, indicated by the apostrophe before the "i". The final "e" at the end of the word is silent. This word is often used in philosophy to refer to something that is characterized by the absence or deprivation of a quality.

PRIVATIVE Meaning and Definition

1. Privative is an adjective that is used to describe the absence or lack of a particular quality or attribute. It refers to something that is deprived or devoid of a certain characteristic or feature. It is derived from the Latin word "privativus", which means "depriving" or "taking away".

   When applied to qualities or attributes, privative indicates the complete absence of that quality. For example, in the context of medicine, a privative disease refers to one that results in the complete loss or absence of a bodily function or organ. It denotes an impairment or negative condition that takes away from the normal or expected state of being.

   Privative can also be used in a linguistic sense, where it relates to the absence of a basic or essential element in a word or language structure. For instance, in grammar, a privative particle is a linguistic element that expresses negation or the lack of a particular attribute. In this context, privative denotes the absence or negation of a linguistic feature.

   Overall, privative is a term that conveys the concept of deprivation, absence, or negation of a quality, characteristic, function, or element. It implies the lack or removal of something that would normally be present or expected, whether in medical, linguistic, or general contexts.

2. • Consisting in the absence of something; not positive.

   • That which depends on the absence of something else; a prefix denoting absence or the opposite.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Etymology of PRIVATIVE

The word privative originates from the Latin word privativus, which is derived from the verb privare, meaning to deprive or to take away. In Latin, the term was used to indicate the absence or negation of a particular quality or attribute. This sense of negation or deprivation is preserved in the modern usage of the term privative.

Plural form of PRIVATIVE is PRIVATIVES