attributive
UK[əˈtrɪbjətɪv]US[əˈtrɪbjətɪv]
adj
(of an adjective or noun) modifying a noun and part of the same noun phrase, preceding the word it modifies.
n
a word or phrase that is used attributively.
Morpheme Breakdown
at
tribut
ive
at
to, toward,
tribut
ive
Etymology
the word "attributive" originates from the latin verb "tribuere," meaning "to assign or allot." combined with the intensive prefix "ad-" (meaning "to"), it formed "attribuere," which meant "to assign to." the late latin derivative "attributivus" was created by adding the adjective-forming suffix "-ivus," denoting a tendency or function. entering english via medieval latin, the term evolved from the literal sense of "assigning" to its specific grammatical function, describing a word that assigns a quality or characteristic directly to a noun.
Analysis
Structure: at + tribut + ive
at- (latin ad-): a prefix meaning "to, toward," indicating direction or addition.
tribut (latin tribuere): meaning "to assign, allot, grant."
-ive (latin -ivus): an adjective-forming suffix meaning "tending to, having the nature of."
Examples
in the phrase "the blue sky," the word "blue" is used in an attributive position.
"London" in "London weather" is an attributive noun.
some adjectives can only function as attributive adjectives, such as "main" or "utter."