DATIVE

dative (day-tiv), n.[fr. French datif “of giving”] 1.Roman & civil law. An appointment made by judicial or magisterial authority; esp., something granted that is not provided by law or a will. • In Scotland, an executor-dative is a court-appointed executor. 2.Hist. Something that can be given or retracted at will, such as an appointment to a nonperpetual office. — Also spelled datif. [Blacks Law 8th]