from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Transitive \Tran"si*tive\, a. [L. transitivus: cf. F. transitif.
See {Transient}.]
1. Having the power of making a transit, or passage. [R.]
--Bacon.
[1913 Webster]
2. Effected by transference of signification.
[1913 Webster]
By far the greater part of the transitive or
derivative applications of words depend on casual
and unaccountable caprices of the feelings or the
fancy. --Stewart.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Gram.) Passing over to an object; expressing an action
which is not limited to the agent or subject, but which
requires an object to complete the sense; as, a transitive
verb, for example, he holds the book.
[1913 Webster] -- {Tran"si*tive*ly}, adv. --
{Tran"si*tive*ness}, n.
[1913 Webster]