cos´tive|ness — cos|tive «KOS tihv, KS », adjective. 1. a) = constipated. (Cf. ↑constipate) b) producing constipation: »a costive medicine or food. 2. Figurative. slow in action. 3. Figurative. niggardly; stingy … Useful english dictionary
fes´tive|ness — fes|tive «FEHS tihv», adjective. of or suitable for a feast, festival, or holiday; gay; merry; joyous: »Her birthday was a festive occasion. Flags and flowers made the hall look festive. SYNONYM(S): festal. –fes´tive|ly, adverb. –fes´tive|ness,… … Useful english dictionary
fur´tive|ness — fur|tive «FUR tihv», adjective. 1. done by stealth to avoid being noticed; secret: »a furtive snatch at the candy, a furtive glance into the forbidden room. SYNONYM(S): clandestine, surreptitious. 2. sly; stealthy; shifty: »The thief had a… … Useful english dictionary
plain´tive|ness — plain|tive «PLAYN tihv», adjective. expressive of sorrow; mournful; sad: »a plaintive song, the plaintive cry of a bird. SYNONYM(S): melancholy, doleful, sorrowful. ╂[< Old French plaintif, plaintive < plaint plaint] –plain´tive|ly, adverb … Useful english dictionary
res´tive|ness — res|tive «REHS tihv», adjective. 1. restless; uneasy: »a restive audience. A restive, resurgent Germany, ten years after the abyss of total defeat... (Newsweek). 2. hard to manage: »a restive child. SYNONYM(S): intractable, refractory … Useful english dictionary
spor´tive|ness — spor|tive «SPR tihv, SPOHR », adjective. 1. playful; frolicsome; merry; gay: »The old dog seemed as sportive as the puppy. 2. not earnest or serious; jesting: »a sportive remark. 3. smart or flashy in … Useful english dictionary
vo´tive|ness — vo|tive «VOH tihv», adjective. 1. promised by a vow; given or done because of a vow: »votive offerings to the gods, a knight on his votive quest, to light a votive candle. 2. made up or expressive of a vow, desire, wish: »a votive prayer. 3. (in… … Useful english dictionary
form´a|tive|ness — form|a|tive «FR muh tihv», adjective, noun. –adj. 1. having to do with formation or development; forming; molding: »Home and school are the chief formative influences in a child s life. 2. Grammar. used to form words. Words are often made from… … Useful english dictionary
con|serv´a|tive|ness — con|serv|a|tive «kuhn SUR vuh tihv», adjective, noun. –adj. 1. inclined to keep things as they are or were in the past; opposed to change, especially any change in traditions: »“What was good enough for my grandfather is good enough for me” is… … Useful english dictionary
re|for´ma|tive|ness — re|for|ma|tive «rih FR muh tihv», adjective. that reforms; tending toward or inducing reform: »We are advised by the Prison Commissioners that periods of that kind are of very little value for reformative training (Economist). –re|for´ma|tive|ly … Useful english dictionary
