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Adjective: substantive  súb-stun-tiv or súb'stan-tiv [N. Amer], súb'stan-tiv [Brit]
  1. Of or relating to the real nature or essential elements of something
    - substantial
     
  2. Being on topic and prompting thought
    "a substantive discussion";
    - meaty
     
  3. (law) defining rights and duties as opposed to giving the rules by which rights and duties are established
    "substantive law";
    - essential
Noun: substantive  súb-stun-tiv or súb'stan-tiv [N. Amer], súb'stan-tiv [Brit]
  1. Any word or group of words functioning as a noun

Derived forms: substantives

See also: essential, meaningful

Type of: word

Encyclopedia: Substantive