Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SIG-NIF'I-CA-TIVE, a. [Fr. significatif.]

1. Betokening or representing by an external sign; as, the significative symbols of the eucharist. – Brerewood.
2. Having signification or meaning; expressive of a certain a idea or thing. Neither in the degrees of kindred were they destitute of significative words. – Camden.