1. word (such a `some' or `less') that is used to indicate a part as distinct from a whole

1. (Romance languages) relating to or denoting a part of a whole or a quantity that is less than the whole;

"a partitive construction"

2. indicating or characterized by or serving to create partition or division into parts;

"partitive tendencies in education"

3. serving to separate or divide into parts;

"partitive tendencies in education"

"the uniting influence was stronger than the separative"