1. Characterized by or resulting in the absence or loss of something; negative
   "The privative effects of isolation on social skills"
    
2. (grammar) denoting the absence or negation of a quality or state
   "The prefix 'un-' in 'unhappy' is a privative affix"

1. (grammar) a word, affix, or phrase that expresses negation or absence
   "The prefix 'un-' is a privative in words like 'unhappy'"
    
2. Something characterized by the absence of a quality or attribute
   "In philosophy, darkness is often considered a privative of light"

Derived forms: privatives

Encyclopedia: Privative