in·sti·tu·tive \ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌt(y)üd.iv, ˈ ̷ ̷ˌt(y)-\adjective Etymology: Latin institutus (past participle of instituere to institute) + English -ive — more at institute 1.: tending to institute : concerned with or leading to the institution of something < institutive factors > < an institutive meeting > 2.obsolete: characterized or formed by institution : conventional