Dictionary

vindicative en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• /vɪnˈdɪkətɪv/

Etymology

From Middle French vindicatif, from Medieval Latin vindicativus.

Meanings

1. Vindicating, having a tendency to vindicate.
   • page 316: A vindicative war can be defined as one in which we strive to gain that which is our own or which is due to us. […] page 328: […] since that is a vindicative war in which we strive to gain what is our own, but a punitive war is one in which a penalty is exacted from one against whom the war is brought; […] 1964, Christian Freiherr von Wolff, Jus Gentium Methodo Scientifica Pertractatum, volume 2, number 13:
2. Vindictive, excessively vengeful.
   • He in heat of action Is more vindicative than jealous love. c. 1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene v]:
   • That albeit the care of Religion toward God, in a vindicative and punishing way, and reforming it, &c. lyeth upon the King or Magistrates mainly, (he should have said onely, for none can produce a commission, but the Powers ordained of God, for using the vindicative, punitive and reforming Sword, […] 1668, Andrew Honyman (Church of Scotland), A Survey of the Insolent and Infamous Libel … Naphtali, page 83

Forms

Deriveds

vindicatively · vindicativeness