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Glite Dictionary
✂️ Dividing parts 🔢 Referring to each 🔠 Marking separation
separative

separative

9.8
Referring to each person or thing in a group one at a time
  • adjective
  • /ˈsɛpəˌreɪtɪv/
  • Specialized
translation icon : separativo
  • The term separative is often used in linguistic discussions.

Examples

  • In the sentence ‘Which of the men arrived?’, the word which is used in a separative sense.

  • The term separative applies to pronouns and determiners like ‘which’ when they select individuals from a group.

  • Grammatical analysis often distinguishes between distributive and separative words.

  • In grammar, a separative form can clarify meaning.

  • In linguistics, the term separative highlights how some pronouns refer distinctly to individuals within a collective.

  • The use of the separative construct in the phrase 'each student must submit their work' emphasizes individuality in the assignment.

  • A separative reference in language ensures that every member of a group is considered independently.

Antonyms

collective
240 3.9

Shared by all members of a group acting together

Surface Forms

separative positive

Morphology

separative = separate (transparent) = separate + ive

The suffix '-ive' is used to form adjectives indicating a tendency or quality, making the meaning clear.

Etymology

Separative comes from the same root as separate, with the sense 'apart' or 'one by one'. In grammar, a separative word points to each member of a group 'one by one', like choosing one apple at a time from a basket.