obviative

English

Etymology

obviate +‎ -ive

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɒbvi.ətɪv/

Noun

obviative (plural obviatives)

1. (linguistics) A grammatical marker in the Algonquian (and some other) languages for a third person other than the principal

   Obviate (abbreviated obv) third person is a grammatical person marking that distinguishes a non-salient (obviative) third person referent from a more salient (proximate) third person referent in a given discourse context. The obviative is sometimes referred to as the "fourth person".

Adjective

obviative (not comparable)

1. Describing such a marker

See also

• proximate