genitive

[jen-i-tiv] /ˈdʒɛn ɪ tɪv/
adjective
1.
(in certain inflected languages) noting a case of nouns, pronouns, or adjectives, used primarily to express possession, measure, or origin: as John's hat, week's vacation, duty's call.
2.
noting an affix or other element characteristic of this case, or a word containing such an element.
3.
similar to such a case form in function or meaning.
noun
4.
the genitive case.
5.
a word in the genitive case.
6.
a construction noting this case or the relationship usually expressed by it.
Compare possessive.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin genitīvus, equivalent to genit(us) (past participle of gignere to beget) + -īvus -ive
Related forms
genitival
[jen-i-tahy-vuh l] /ˌdʒɛn ɪˈtaɪ vəl/ (Show IPA), adjective
genitivally, adverb
ungenitive, adjective
Examples from the web for genitive
  • We could go on and explain the nominative and genitive cases but that's not necessary.
  • In the genitive case morphological redetermination becomes elaborate.
  • The genitive case expresses possession, measurement, or source.
  • Like nouns, a genitive is given for the purpose of inflection.
British Dictionary definitions for genitive

genitive

/ˈdʒɛnɪtɪv/
adjective
1.
denoting a case of nouns, pronouns, and adjectives in inflected languages used to indicate a relation of ownership or association, usually translated by English of
noun
2.
  1. the genitive case
  2. a word or speech element in this case
Derived Forms
genitival (ˌdʒɛnɪˈtaɪvəl) adjective
genitivally, adverb
Word Origin
C14: from Latin genetīvus relating to birth, from gignere to produce
Word Origin and History for genitive
adj.

late 14c., from Old French genitif or directly from Latin (casus) genitivus "case expressing possession, source, origin," from genitus (past participle of gignere; see genital); misused by Latin grammarians to render Greek genike (ptosis) "generic (case)," expressing race or kind (see genus). The noun meaning "the genitive case in grammar" is from 1610s.