a. [f. L. amāt- ppl. stem of amā-re to love + -IVE, as if ad. L. *amātīvus.] Disposed to loving.
1636. Earl Manchester, Contempl. Mort., 33. [The soul’s] amative vertues unite her to God.
a. 1678. Woodhead, Holy Living (1688), 174. The affectionate and amatiue powers.
1850. Kingsley, Alt. Locke, ii. (1876), 32. Amative and combative organs small—a general want of healthy animalism.
