opinionative, a. (n.)
(əʊˈpɪnjəneɪtɪv)
[f. assumed L. stem *opīniōnāt- + -ive; or simply f. opinion + -ative: cf. talkative.]
† 1. Based upon, or of the nature of, opinion; fancied, imaginary; conjectural, speculative (as distinguished from real or certain). = opinative 2, opiniative 2, opinionate a. 1. Obs.
| c 1555 [implied in opinionatively 1]. 1610 Healey St. Aug. Citie of God 546 This opinionative suspicion every one may take as he please. 1627–77 Feltham Resolves i. xciv. 147 If this be not rather opinionative than real. 1702 C. Mather Magn. Chr. iii. ii. i. (1852) 364 He declined a settlement in some other, which he thought more opinionative, and so more contentious and undesireable places. |
b. Relating to, or consisting in, opinion or belief; doctrinal (as distinguished from practical).
| a 1638 Mede Wks. (1672) 115 The difference between a saving Faith which joyns us to Christ, and that which is true indeed, but not saving, but dogmatical and opinionative only. 1684 Bunyan Pilgr. ii. 144 We will deny ourselves of some things, both Opinionative and Practical, for your sake. 1869 H. Bushnell New Life iv. 49 So far what is done is merely opinionative or notional, and there is no transactional faith. |
c. Of the nature of an opinion. rare.
| 1894 Pall Mall G. 24 Dec. 1/2 The Board to have..the option of refraining from making any award, and of publishing an opinionative report on the dispute instead. |
2. Unduly attached to, or persistent in adhering to, one's own opinion; conceited, or obstinately dogmatic; = opinative 1, opiniative 1, opinionate a. 2, opinionated 3.
| 1547 Boorde Introd. Knowl. xvii. (1870) 167 The people of Boeme be opinionatyue, standyng much in theyr owne conceits. 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. To Rdr. 19 He was an illiterate idiot,..an opinionative ass, a caviller, a kind of pedant. 1751 Johnson Cheynel Wks. IV. 504 Too young to teach, and too opinionative to learn. 1817 M. Edgeworth Bores (1832) 314 The common female blue is intolerable, opinionative and opinionated. 1897 Westm. Gaz. 9 Nov. 1/3 An opinionative Anglo-Indian, who spoke as one whose words were officially authoritative, was of the party. |
† b. Holding too high an opinion of; proud or conceited of. Obs. rare.
| 1621 Bp. R. Montagu Diatribæ 9 Your Selfe, very Opinionatiue of your knowledge. |
† B. n. An ‘opinionative’ or speculative point.
| 1659 Stanley Hist. Philos. III. iv. 11 The Sceptick's is, in opinionatives, indisturbance; in impulsives, moderation. |