a. [ Cf. F. formatif. ] 1. Giving form; having the power of giving form; plastic; as, the formative arts. [ 1913 Webster ]
The meanest plant can not be raised without seed, by any formative residing in the soil. Bentley. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. (Gram.) Serving to form; derivative; not radical; as, a termination merely formative. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. (Biol.) Capable of growth and development; germinal; as, living or formative matter. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. (Gram.) (a) That which serves merely to give form, and is no part of the radical, as the prefix or the termination of a word. (b) A word formed in accordance with some rule or usage, as from a root. [ 1913 Webster ]