Dictionary

deletive en · ADJ

Etymology

from delete + -ive.

Meanings

1. (uncommon) Tending to delete or destroy.
   • [T]he obtuſer end [of a style] vvas made more deletive, apt to put out, and obliterate, vvhen they vvould Stylum vertere [turn the style], vvhich our Burniſher (another Tool us'd by Chalcographers) and Poliſher performes. 1662, J[ohn] Evelyn, “Of Sculpture, how Deriv’d, and Distinguish’d, with the Styles, and Instruments Belonging to It”, in Sculptura: Or The History, and Art of Chalcography and Engraving in Copper. […], London: […] J[ames] C[ottrel] for G. Beedle [i.e., Gabriel Bedell], and T[homas] Collins, […], and J[ohn] Crook […], →OCLC, book I, page 9:
   • lexical deletive rules

Forms