1550s, in grammar, of a verb, "formed to signify the desire for the action or condition denoted by the simple verb;" see desiderata + -ive. As a noun, "a desiderative verb," from 1751.

"one whose occupation is to investigate matters as to which information is desired, especially concerning wrong-doers, and to obtain evidence against them," 1828, short for detective police, from detective (adj.) "fitted for or skilled in detecting" (by 1828); see detect + -ive.

His duties differ from those of the ordinary policeman in that he has no specific beat or round, and in that he is concerned with the investigation of specific cases, or the watching of particular individuals or classes of offenders, rather than with the general guardianship of the peace, and does not wear a distinguishing uniform. [Century Dictionary, 1897]

1640s, "characterized by or appropriate to dismissal;" from dismiss + -ive. Meaning "contemptuous, tending to reject as insignificant" is recorded by 1922 (implied in dismissively). Related: Dismissiveness.

"causing or tending to cause disruption," 1862; see disrupt + -ive. From 1840 in reference to electrical discharges (in this sense probably from French). By 1876 as "produced by disruption." Related: Disruptively; disruptiveness.

"tending to divert from a purpose," c. 1600, from Latin dissuas-, past-participle stem of dissuadere "to advise against, oppose by argument" (see dissuade) + -ive. Related: Dissuasively; dissuasiveness.

c. 1600, "having a quality of dividing," from divis-, past-participle stem of Latin dividere "to divide" (see divide (v.)) + -ive. Meaning "creating division, producing discord" is from 1640s. Related: Divisively; divisiveness.

"having the quality of duplicating or doubling," 1854; see duplicate (v.) + -ive.

"tending to educate, consisting in educating," 1795, from Latin educat-, past-participle stem of educare "bring up, rear, educate" (see educate) + -ive.

"flowing profusely" (especially of words), 1660s, with -ive + Latin effus-, stem of effundere "pour forth, spread abroad; to lavish, squander, waste," from assimilated form of ex "out" (see ex-) + fundere "to pour" (from nasalized form of PIE root *gheu- "to pour"). Hence, "with extravagant display of feelings" (1863). Related: Effusively.

"hard to grasp or confine," 1719, from Latin elus-, past-participle stem of eludere "elude, frustrate" (see elude) + -ive. Related: Elusiveness.