portative

English

Etymology

From Middle French portatif, corresponding to port +‎ -ative.

Adjective

portative (comparative more portative, superlative most portative)

  1. (now rare) Portable. [from 14th c.]
    • c. 1385, William Langland, Piers Plowman, section I:
      Was neuere leef vpon lynde · liȝter þer-after / And portatyf and persant · as þe poynt of a nedle.
  2. (obsolete) Capable of holding up or carrying. [15th–19th c.]
    the portative force of a magnet, of atmospheric pressure, or of capillarity

Derived terms

Noun

portative (plural portatives)

  1. (now chiefly historical) A portative organ.

Anagrams

French

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /pɔʁ.ta.tiv/

Adjective

portative

  1. feminine singular of portatif
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