Adjective

(en adjective)

Of the essence or essential element of a thing; as, "substantive information".

* 2012 , The Economist, 06 Oct 2012 issue; [http://www.economist.com/node/21564222 The first presidential debate: Back in the centre, back in the game]

In one sense the first debate achieved the worst of all worlds: it managed to be technical, even dull, without being substantive or especially honest.

Having substance; enduring; solid; firm; substantial.

* Hazlitt

Strength and magnitude are qualities which impress the imagination in a powerful and substantive manner.

(legal) Applying to essential legal principles and rules of right; as, "substantive law".

(chemistry) Of a dye that does not need the use of a mordant to be made fast to that which is being dyed.

Depending on itself; independent.

* Francis Bacon

He considered how sufficient and substantive this land was to maintain itself without any aid of the foreigner.

Adjective

(en adjective)

Of or relating to description.

(grammar) Of an adjective, stating an attribute of the associated noun (as heavy'' in ''the heavy dictionary ).

(linguistics)   Describing the structure, grammar, vocabulary and actual use of a language.

(science, philosophy) Describing and seeking to classify, as opposed to normative or prescriptive.

* {{quote-magazine, year=2012, month=March-April

, author=John T. Jost , title=Social Justice: Is It in Our Nature (and Our Future)? , volume=100, issue=2, page=162 , magazine=(American Scientist) citation , passage=He draws eclectically on studies of baboons, descriptive anthropological accounts of hunter-gatherer societies and, in a few cases, the fossil record.}}