Denoting the case of a noun which expresses the remoter or indirect object, generally indicated in English by to or for with the objective.
Understanding dative
• In one’s gift; capable of being disposed of at will and pleasure, as an office or other privilege.
• Removable, as distinguished from perpetual; — said of an officer.
• Given by a judge, as distinguished from being cast upon a party by the law itself.
• Formed by two electrons contributed by one atom; see dative bond.
• Given in advance; not needed to be calculated.
(Noun) The dative case.
• A word inflected in the dative case.
How dative affects you
dative appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
The mechanics of dative
In practice, dative is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Wiktionary , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.