augmentative

[ awg-men-tuh-tiv ]

adjective

1. serving to augment.
2. Grammar. pertaining to or productive of a form denoting increased size or intensity. In Spanish the augmentative suffix -ón is added to a word (as silla “chair”) to indicate increased size, as in sillón “armchair.”

noun

1. Grammar. an augmentative element or formation.

augmentative

/ ɔːɡˈmɛntətɪv /

adjective

1. tending or able to augment
2. grammar
   1. denoting an affix that may be added to a word to convey the meaning large or great; for example, the suffix -ote in Spanish, where hombre means man and hombrote big man
   2. denoting a word formed by the addition of an augmentative affix

noun

1. grammar an augmentative word or affix

Derived Forms

• augˈmentatively, adverb

Other Words From

• aug·menta·tive·ly adverb
• nonaug·menta·tive adjective noun
• unaug·menta·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of augmentative¹

1495–1505; augment + -ative; replacing augmentatif < Middle French

Example Sentences

A diminutive hardly seems the right kind of word under the circumstances; an augmentative would, perhaps, have been better.

From Project Gutenberg

Note:—The rle of augmentative and diminutive suffixes in English is vastly less important than in Italian.

From Project Gutenberg

The augmentative forms, pre-eminently common in the Italian language, often carry with them a depreciating sense.

From Project Gutenberg

The MS. has Garees, a word not to be found in the dictionary, but evidently an augmentative of gara, a heron.

From Project Gutenberg

For the word wizard, from witch, see the section on augmentative forms.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Augmentative

What does augmentative mean?

Augmentative is used to describe things that augment or are intended to augment something—add to it in a way that makes it bigger or better.

The general sense of augment is used in a variety of contexts where something is literally or figuratively increased in size, number, shape, value, or quality or in some other way.

A process to add something to a material to make it stronger could be described as augmentative. Additional learning materials used by a teacher to supplement the textbook could be described as augmentative.

Augmentative is also used in a much more specific way in the context of grammar, but its general sense is much more commonly used.

Example: The addition of new materials to the collection is meant to be augmentative—they are not meant to replace the existing items.

Where does augmentative come from?

The first records of the word augmentative come from right around 1500. It’s an adjective form of the verb augment, which comes from the Late Latin augmentum, meaning “an increase,” from the verb aug(ēre), “to increase.” The suffix -ative is used to form adjectives.

Augmentive is often used in the context of an increase in size or amount, but it can describe other kinds of changes, such as in quality. Augmentative is typically used in a neutral or positive way—it usually implies that whatever is being added to something will make the thing better.

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What are some other forms related to augmentative?

• augmentatively (adverb)
• augment (verb)

What are some synonyms for augmentative?

• supplementary

What are some words that share a root or word element with augmentative? 

• augmentation
• augmenter
• augmented
• augmented reality

What are some words that often get used in discussing augmentative?

• increase
• enhance
• strengthen
• reinforce
• amplify
• boost
• enlarge
• expand
• better
• addition
• process
• material

How is augmentative used in real life?

Augmentative can be used in all kinds of contexts that involve adding something to something else to improve it or enlarge it in some way.

"Tech is meant to be augmentative." says @priyalakhani.

"Schools must ask themselves what the problems are that they are trying to address. Is it CPD? Attainment? Behaviour? We shouldn't roll-out tech for tech's sake. It's about the ed, not the tech."

— Education Policy Institute (@EduPolicyInst) November 4, 2020

The Third Thumb project by Dani Close is a great example of augmentative robotics technology #AI #ERCTalks https://t.co/ME8QjgprLh

— J M S (@juansarasua) October 25, 2018

Augmentative and Alternative Communication #AAC is a range of strategies and tools to help people who have difficulties with speech. #AAC helps someone to communicate as effectively as possible, in as many situations as possible. Just look at all of these reasons to communicate! pic.twitter.com/5Mp1yir3Bq

— Whittington Health SLT (@talkingWhitSLTs) October 19, 2020

 

Try using augmentative!

Is augmentative used correctly in the following sentence?

This augmentative process involves the addition of a substance that will serve to strengthen the material.