/ ˈɜːgətɪv; NAmE ˈɜːrg-/ adjective
( grammar ) ( of verbs ) able to be used in both a transitive and an intransitive way with the same meaning, where the object of the transitive verb is the same as the subject of the intransitive verb :
The verb 'grow' is ergative because you can say 'She grew flowers in her garden' or 'Flowers grew in her garden'.
—compare causative , inchoative
► er·ga·tive·ly adverb
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WORD ORIGIN
1950s: from Greek ergatēs worker (from ergon work) + -ive .