— sportively , adv. — sportiveness; Archaic. sportability , n.
/spawr"tiv, spohr"-/ , adj.
1. playful or frolicsome; jesting, jocose, or merry: a sportive puppy.
2. done in sport, rather than in earnest: a sportive show of affection.
3. pertaining to or of the nature of a sport or sports.
4. Biol. mutative.
5. Archaic. ardent; wanton.
[ 1580-90; SPORT + -IVE ]
Syn. 1. jocular, gay, sprightly, frisky.