Form″a‐tive (?), a. [Cf. F. formatif.] 1. Giving form; having the power of giving form; plastic; as, the formative arts.
The meanest plant can not be raised without seed, by any formative residing in the soil. Bentley.
2. (Gram.) Serving to form; derivative; not radical; as, a termination merely formative.
3. (Biol.) Capable of growth and development; germinal; as, living or formative matter.