[1590–1600; extinct + -ive]This word is first recorded in the period 1590–1600. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: class, dummy, operator, radius, volunteer-ive is a suffix of adjectives (and nouns of adjectival origin) expressing tendency, disposition,function, connection, etc. Other words that use the affix -ive include: active, destructive, detective, passive, sportive