adj. 1. Of, relating to, or of the nature of an illation. 2. Expressing or preceding an inference. Used of a word. 3. Grammar Of, relating to, or being a grammatical case indicating motion toward or into in some languages, as in Finnish Helsinkiin, "to Helsinki." n. 1. A word or phrase, such as hence or for that reason, that expresses an inference. 2. See illation. 3. Grammar a. The illative case. b. A word or form in the illative case. illa·tive·ly adv. |
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