illative

American  

[il-uh-tiv, ih-ley-tiv] / ˈɪl ə tɪv, ɪˈleɪ tɪv /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or expressing illation; inferential.

   an illative word such as “therefore.”

2. Grammar. noting a case, as in Finnish, whose distinctive function is to indicate place into or toward which.

---

noun

1. Grammar. the illative case.

illative British  

/ ɪˈleɪtɪv /

adjective

1. of or relating to illation; inferential

2. grammar denoting a word or morpheme used to signal inference, for example so or therefore

3. (in the grammar of Finnish and other languages) denoting a case of nouns expressing a relation of motion or direction, usually translated by the English prepositions into or towards Compare elative

---

noun

1. grammar

   1. the illative case

   2. an illative word or speech element

Other Word Forms

• illatively adverb
• nonillative adjective
• nonillatively adverb

Etymology

Origin of illative

1585–95; < Late Latin illātīvus, equivalent to illāt- ( illation ) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

The common relations between sentences indicated by conjunctions are coördinative, subordinative, adversative, concessive, and illative.

From English: Composition and Literature by Webster, W. F. (William Franklin)

It is the so-called illative relation, the relation which obtains between two classes when one is subsumed under the other, or between two statements, or two decisions, when one implies or entails the other.

From International Congress of Arts and Science, Volume I Philosophy and Metaphysics by Various

Conversion, 479. of complex propositions, 709. by contraposition, 516. illative, 481. by negation, 504. per accidens, 487. simple, 486. rules of, 482.

From Deductive Logic by Stock, St. George William Joseph

Dr. Newman asserts that certainty is a quality of propositions, and he has discovered in man 'an illative sense' whereby conclusions are converted into dogmas and a measured concurrence into an unlimited and absolute assurance.

From Res Judicat? Papers and Essays by Birrell, Augustine

I admit, indeed, that the illative faculty works under rules upon which choice and inclination ought to exercise no influence whatever.

From The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 6 (of 12) Dresden Edition?Discussions by Ingersoll, Robert Green