a. and sb. [ad. L. concessīv-us, f. concess-: see CONCESSION and -IVE.]
A. adj. 1. Of the nature of or tending to concession.
1876. A. M. Fairbairn, in Contemp. Rev., June, 132. The Leben Jesu came out in a fourth edition, purged from everything concessive and irenical.
2. Gram. Expressive of concession.
1711. J. Greenwood, Eng. Gram., 162. I shall therefore divide the Conjunctions into Conjunctions Copulative;… into Concessive; into Declarative; [etc.].
1765. W. Ward, Ess. Gram., 227. Adversative, or concessive, conjunctions.
1874. Roby, Lat. Gram., § 1584. Often called concessive sentences, in which an action is directed to be taken for granted, in order that discussion may be concentrated on the consequences.
B. sb. Gram. A concessive particle, clause, etc.
1765. W. Ward, Ess. Gram., 436. Adversatives or Concessives.
Hence Concessively adv., Concessiveness.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., VII. x. 357. Receiving that affirmatively which was but concessively delivered.
1887. J. K. Illingworth, in Contemp. Rev., Dec., 897. A concessiveness of temper and a thoroughness of treatment, which leave little to be desired.
