Vindictive

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Vindictive \Vin*dic"tive\, a. [For vindicative, confused with L.
     vindicta revenge, punishment, fr. vindicare to vindicate. Cf.
     {Vindicative}.]
     1. Disposed to revenge; prompted or characterized by revenge;
        revengeful.
        [1913 Webster]


  
              I am vindictive enough to repel force by force.
                                                    --Dryden.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Punitive. [Obs.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
     {Vindictive damages}. (Law) See under {Damage}, n.
        [1913 Webster] -- {Vin*dic"tive*ly}, adv. --
        {Vin*dic"tive*ness}, n.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  vindictive
       adj 1: disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge; "more
              vindictive than jealous love"- Shakespeare;
              "punishments...essentially vindictive in their
              nature"- M.R.Cohen [syn: {revengeful}, {vengeful}]
       2: showing malicious ill will and a desire to hurt; motivated
          by spite; "a despiteful fiend"; "a truly spiteful child";
          "a vindictive man will look for occasions for resentment"
          [syn: {despiteful}, {spiteful}]