DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 for·ma·tive /ˈfɔrmətɪv/
 (a.)形成的,造型的,形成的造字要素

 for·ma·tive /ˈfɔrmətɪv/ 形容詞
 形成的,結構的

 Form·a·tive, n. Gram. (a) That which serves merely to give form, and is no part of the radical, as the prefix or the termination of a word. (b) A word formed in accordance with some rule or usage, as from a root.
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 Form·a·tive a.
 1. Giving form; having the power of giving form; plastic; as, the formative arts.
    The meanest plant can not be raised without seed, by any formative residing in the soil.   --Bentley.
 2. Gram. Serving to form; derivative; not radical; as, a termination merely formative.
 3. Biol. Capable of growth and development; germinal; as, living or formative matter.

 formative
      adj 1: relating to or characterized by formative effects or
             formation; "the formative arts"
      2: susceptible to alteration by development and experience;
         "formative years"
      3: beginning to develop; "inchoative stages" [syn: inchoative]
      4: capable of forming new cells and tissues; "a formative zone
         in developing bone"
      5: forming or capable of forming or molding; "a formative
         influence"; "a formative experience" [syn: shaping]
      n : minimal language unit that has a syntactic (or
          morphological) function