— accusatively , adv.
/euh kyooh"zeuh tiv/ , adj.
1. Gram.
a. (in certain inflected languages, as Latin, Greek, or Russian) noting a case whose distinctive function is to indicate the direct object of a verb or the object of certain prepositions.
b. similar to such a case form in function or meaning.
2. Ling. pertaining to a type of language in which there is an accusative case or in which subjects of transitive verbs behave the same way as subjects of intransitive verbs. Cf. ergative (def. 2).
3. accusatory.
n.
4. an accusative case.
5. a word in an accusative case.
6. a form or construction of similar function.
[ 1400-50; late ME ( accusativus, equiv. to ac- AC- + -cusativus, comb. form of causativus (see CAUSATIVE) a loan-trans. of Gk aitiatiké, in the sense of pointing to the origin or cause, accusing) ]