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

• portative organ

Noun

portative (plural portatives)

1. (now chiefly historical) A portative organ.

Anagrams

• vaporetti

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pɔʁ.ta.tiv/

Adjective

portative

1. feminine singular of portatif