attributive
|at-trib-u-tive|
🇺🇸
/əˈtrɪbjətɪv/
🇬🇧
/əˈtrɪb.jʊ.tɪv/
serving as an attribute / modifier
Etymology
'attributive' originates from Latin via French and English formation: from Latin root 'attribuere' (to assign, give) formed with the suffix '-ive' (forming adjectives).
'attribuere' (Latin) > Old French/Medieval forms (e.g. 'attribuer') > English 'attribute' + adjectival suffix '-ive' produced 'attributive' (from French 'attributif').
Initially related generally to 'attributing' or 'assigning' something; over time it gained the specialized grammatical sense 'used to modify a noun' while retaining the broader sense 'serving as an attribute'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a word or expression used attributively, especially an adjective used before a noun.
In 'the red car', 'red' is an attributive.
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Adjective 1
relating to or functioning as an attribute; serving to attribute.
The report used attributive language to describe the candidate's strengths.
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Adjective 2
(Grammar) Placed before a noun to modify it; used to describe a noun (as in 'an attributive adjective').
An attributive adjective appears directly before the noun it modifies.
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Last updated: 2025/09/23 11:47