a. [ad. late L. æstimātīv-us, f. æstimāre: see ESTIMATE and -IVE.]
1. Adapted for estimating; having the power of estimating. † a. Estimative faculty, virtue, etc.: the faculty of ‘judgment’ (obs.). b. Estimative art [after Gr. στοχαστικὴ τέχνη].
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., III. xi. (1495), 55. The vertue estimatiue and the ymagynatyf ben comyn to vs and to other beest.
1548–77. Vicary, Anat., iv. (1888), 31. In the middest sel or ventrikle [of the brain] there is founded … the Cogitatiue or estimatiue vertue.
1606. Sir G. Goosecappe, I. iv. in Bullen, O. Pl., III. 22. To … make my estimative power believe [etc.].
1663. Boyle, Exp. on Colours (1664), 82 (J.). The Errour is not in the Eye,… but in the Judging or Estimative faculty.
1666. J. Smith, Old Age (1752), 37. The fancy both estimative and cogitative.
1859. Encycl. Brit., XVII. 567/2. Mr. Combe … and others acknowledge that applied phrenology is an estimative art only.
† 2. a. Based upon estimation or approximate calculation. b. Imputed, due to estimation. Obs.
1618–29. Charges agst. Dk. Buckhm., in Rushw., Hist. Coll. (1659), I. 346. This he delivered as a Sum Estimative.
a. 1640. Wandesforde, Instruct. to his Son (1777), § 83. A Jewel of that unvaluable Richness, not estimative but intrinsicall.
1651. Culpepper, Astrol Judgem. Dis. (1655), 148. It anticipates the time estimative but 10. min.
Hence † Estimatively adv. Obs., in an estimative manner; by way of esteem or respect.
1633. T. Adams, Exp. 2 Peter iii. 1. 1099. Our spirituall parents are more to be loved Æstimatively: our naturall, more intensive.
