attributive

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Modifying another word, typically a noun, while in the same phrase.

   In "this big house", big is attributive, whereas in "this house is big", it is predicative.

2. 2
   adj

   Attributing; characterized by attributing; effecting attribution.

   To hate, &c.] Or thus, To be affected with hatred and horrour at. For abhor, though arranged in our dictionaries among verbs active, attributes an affection rather than an act of the mind. As the mind however is an active principle, all verbs attributive of what passes in the mind, even those we call neuter, attribute at the same time some mental act or operation. To grieve is reckoned a verb neuter; yet in grieving at some misfortune, the mind is not less active than it is in abhorring or loathing an object; which latter verbs are called verbs active.

3. 3
   noun

   An attributive word or phrase (see above), contrasted with predicative or substantive.

   In "this big house," big is an attributive, while in "this house is big," it is a predicative.

4. 4
   adj

   of adjectives

Etymology

From attribute + -ive.