vin·di·ca·tive \ˈvindəˌkā]d.iv, -ndə̇kə], -ndēkə], (ˈ)vin|dikə], ]t], ]ēv also ]əv\adjective Etymology: Medieval Latin vindicativus, from Latin vindicatus (past participle of vindicare) + -ivus -ive 1.obsolete: vindictive, vengeful < more vindicative than jealous love — Shakespeare > 2.archaic: of or related to punishment or discipline : punitive < vindicative power … belongs not to the church — George Carleton >