Admonitive

/ədˈmɒnɪtɪv/ adjective

Definition

Giving or containing a warning; meant to correct or advise someone of wrong behavior.

Etymology

From Latin admonitivus, from admonere (to warn). The -itive suffix (from Latin -itivus) creates adjectives meaning 'tending to' or 'of the nature of' the root action.

Kelly Says

Admonitive and admonitory both exist, but they differ subtly: admonitive emphasizes the quality of giving warning, while admonitory emphasizes the cautionary tone—a distinction so fine that many speakers use them interchangeably.

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