1. Forming or capable of forming or moulding or fashioning
   "a formative influence";
   - shaping, plastic
    
2. (biology) capable of forming new cells and tissues
   "a formative zone in developing bone"

1. Minimal language unit that has a syntactic (or morphological) function
   "The '-s' in 'cats' is a formative indicating plurality"

Derived forms: formatives

See also: constructive

Type of: language unit, linguistic unit

Encyclopedia: Formative