perfective

[ per-fek-tiv ]

adjective

1. tending to make perfect; conducive to perfection.
2. Grammar. noting an aspect of verbal inflection, as in Russian, that indicates completion of the action or state denoted by the verb.

noun

, Grammar.

1. the perfective aspect.
2. a form in the perfective.

perfective

/ pəˈfɛktɪv /

adjective

1. tending to perfect
2. grammar denoting an aspect of verbs in some languages, including English, used to express that the action or event described by the verb is or was completed: I lived in London for ten years is perfective; I have lived in London for ten years is imperfective, since the implication is that I still live in London

Other Words From

• per·fective·ly adverb
• per·fective·ness per·fec·tiv·i·ty [pur-fek-, tiv, -i-tee], noun
• unper·fective adjective
• unper·fective·ly adverb
• unper·fective·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of perfective¹

From the Medieval Latin word perfectīvus, dating back to 1590–1600. See perfect, -ive

Example Sentences

The perfective part, said Proclus, precedes initiation, as initiation precedes inspection.

From Project Gutenberg

The Vocabulario has snuru and sannuru as the ombin form of the attributive perfective sarinuru.

From Project Gutenberg

Created existences are not included in this act, and the knowledge of them is not perfective of the being of God.

From Project Gutenberg

So then passive good is, as was said, either conservative or perfective.

From Project Gutenberg