adj. 1. Causing deprivation, lack, or loss. 2. Grammar Altering the meaning of a term from positive to negative. n. Grammar A privative prefix or suffix, such as a-, non-, un-, or -less. [Middle English privatif, from Latin prīvātīvus, from prīvātus, past participle of prīvāre, to deprive; see PRIVATE.] priva·tive·ly adv. |
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