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Dictionary Language resources

augmentative

Syllabification: (aug·ment·a·tive)

Pronunciation: /ôgˈmentətiv/

Definition of augmentative

adjective

Grammar

(of an affix or derived word) reinforcing the idea of the original word, especially by meaning ‘a large —,’ as with the Italian suffix -one in borrone ‘ravine,’ compared with borro ‘ditch.’.

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'having a tendency to increase'): from Old French augmentatif, -ive or medieval Latin augmentativus, from the verb augmentare (see augment)