In the grammar of some languages, for example Latin, the dative, or the dative case, is the case used for a noun when it is the indirect object of a verb, or when it comes after some prepositions.
dative in British English
(ˈdeɪtɪv) grammar
adjective
1.
denoting a case of nouns, pronouns, and adjectives used to express the indirect object, to identify the recipients, and for other purposes
noun
2.
a.
the dative case
b.
a word or speech element in this case
Derived forms
datival (deɪˈtaɪvəl)
adjective
datively (ˈdatively)
adverb
Word origin
C15: from Latin datīvus, from dare to give; translation of Greek dotikos
dative in American English
(ˈdeɪtɪv)
adjective
1. Grammar
designating, of, or in the case of the indirect object of a finite verb
noun
2.
the dative case: in English this case may be expressed analytically by to or by word order (Ex.: I gave the book to Jack, I gave him the book)
3.
a word or phrase in this case
Derived forms
datively (ˈdatively)
adverb
Word origin
ME < L dativus, relating to giving < datus (see UNRESOLVED CROSS REF); its grammatical use in LL (casus) dativus, dat. (case), translates Gr dotikē