Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Substantive \Sub"stan*tive\, a. [L. substantivus: cf. F.
   substantif.]
   1. Betokening or expressing existence; as, the substantive
      verb, that is, the verb to be.

   2. Depending on itself; independent.

            He considered how sufficient and substantive this
            land was to maintain itself without any aid of the
            foreigner.                            --Bacon.

   3. Enduring; solid; firm; substantial.

            Strength and magnitude are qualities which impress
            the imagination in a powerful and substantive
            manner.                               --Hazlitt.

   4. Pertaining to, or constituting, the essential part or
      principles; as, the law substantive.

   {Noun substantive} (Gram.), a noun which designates an
      object, material or immaterial; a substantive.

   {Substantive color}, one which communicates its color without
      the aid of a mordant or base; -- opposed to adjective
      color.

Substantive \Sub"stan*tive\, n. [Cf. F. substantif.] (Gram.)
   A noun or name; the part of speech which designates something
   that exists, or some object of thought, either material or
   immaterial; as, the words man, horse, city, goodness,
   excellence, are substantives.

Substantive \Sub"stan*tive\, v. t.
   To substantivize. [R.] --Cudworth.

Source : WordNet®

substantive
     n : a noun or a pronoun that is used in place of a noun

substantive
     adj 1: being the essence or essential element of a thing;
            "substantial equivalents"; "substantive information"
            [syn: {substantial}, {in essence}]
     2: applying to essential legal principles and rules of right;
        "substantive law" [syn: {essential}] [ant: {adjective}]
     3: having substance and prompting thought; "a meaty discussion"
        [syn: {meaty}]