substantive

  1. Adjective.  Of the essence or essential element of a thing; as, "substantive information".
  2. Adjective.  Having substance and prompting thought.
  3. Adjective.  (legal) Applying to essential legal principles and rules of right; as, "substantive law".
  4. Adjective.  (chemistry) Of a dye that does not need the use of a mordant to be made fast to that which is being dyed.
  5. Noun.  (grammar) A word that names or refers to a person, place, thing, or idea. Nouns and personal pronouns are always substantives by nature.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.