[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

dative \da"tive\, a. l. dativus appropriate to giving, fr. dare
   to give. see 2d date.
   1. gram. noting the case of a noun which expresses the
      remoter object, and is generally indicated in english by
      to or for with the objective.
      1913 webster

   2. law
      a in one's gift; capable of being disposed of at will
          and pleasure, as an office.
      b removable, as distinguished from perpetual; -- said of
          an officer.
      c given by a magistrate, as distinguished from being
          cast upon a party by the law. --burril. bouvier.
          1913 webster

   dative executor, one appointed by the judge of probate, his
      office answering to that of an administrator.
      1913 webster
see also:
date dative executor 

[2] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

dative \da"tive\, n. l. dativus.
   the dative case. see dative, a., 1.
   1913 webster
see also:
dative 

[3] : WordNet (r) 2.0

dative
     n : the category of nouns serving as the indirect object of a
         verb syn: dative case
see also:
dative case 

[4] : Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)

dative. that which may be given or disposed of at will and pleasure. it 
sometimes means that which is not cast upon the party by the law, or by a 
testator, but which is given by the magistrate; in this sense it is that 
tutorship is dative, when the tutor is appointed by the magistrate. lec. 
elem. sec. 239; civ. code of l. art. 288, 1671. 

Dative >> D Words
Dative, definition of term: Dative
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