appointive

[ uh-poin-tiv ]

adjective

1. pertaining to or filled by appointment:

   an appointive office.

2. having the ability or authority to appoint:

   appointive powers.

appointive

/ əˈpɔɪntɪv /

adjective

1. relating to or filled by appointment

   an appointive position

Other Words From

• nonap·pointive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of appointive¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; appoint + -ive

Example Sentences

Paterson—the father of recent Governor David Paterson—was a high-octane lawyer who held a number of appointive positions.

From The Daily Beast

With one necessary exception all offices are appointive and the tenure of all except that is the same.

From Project Gutenberg

Incumbents holding appointive offices were in a state of dread.

From Project Gutenberg

He declared with great feeling that he would never accept another appointive civil office.

From Project Gutenberg

In practice they were largely self-appointive and were responsible for filling most local offices.

From Project Gutenberg

This was one of the most important appointive offices in the State Administration.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• elective