sep·a·ra·tive \ˈsepəˌrād.iv, -p(ə)rəd.-\adjective Etymology: Late Latin separativus, from Latin separatus (past participle of separare to separate) + -ivus -ive — more at separate 1.: tending toward or causing separation < the uniting influence was stronger than the separative — J.A.Froude > 2. a.: distributive 2 b.: expressive of separation or removal < the separative genitive > c.: disjunctive 4