preformative /priˈfoɹmətɪv/adjective 3noun 1forms 1 adjective3 •Of or pertaining to preformation. •of a letter, syllable, etc.: attached to the beginning of a word as a formative element. •Of a thing: forming or affecting something that comes later. noun1 •a formative letter, syllable, etc., at the beginning of a word.Ch. a prefix prep. as in Hebrew, the sign of the dative; also of the genitive and accusative; and as a conj. before the future, which then rejects the preformative, that — 1828 formspreformatives
