itive

I tive is not a stand-alone word, but a common English suffix that appears as the letters -itive in many adjectives and occasional nouns. The suffix is used to form words that describe a quality, state, or function associated with a root word, often conveying “having the nature of” or “tending to.”

Etymology and family: The -itive form comes from Latin -itivus, which entered English through Old French and other intermediaries. It is part of a larger family of -ive suffixes (such as -ative and -ive) used to create adjectives from verbs or nouns. The choice among -ive, -ative, or -itive often depends on the origin of the base or historical spelling conventions, rather than a strict productive rule in modern English.

Formation and meaning: Words ending with -itive typically describe a characteristic or role related to the root. For example, additive refers to something that adds, definitive to something that defines or settles, competitive to relating to competition, and expositive to relating to explanation or exposition. The precise nuance can vary, but the common thread is a descriptor of nature, tendency, or function connected to the base.

Usage notes: The -itive suffix is productive in technical, scientific, and formal vocabulary, especially in words borrowed from Latin or formed in scholarly registers. It often coexists with other suffixes like -ive and -ative, with subtle shifts in meaning or usage. In everyday language, many -itive words are familiar through common terms such as additive and definitive.