In grammar, noting one of the cases of nouns and pronouns and adjectives in Indo-European languages, and in some others, used most commonly to denote the indirect or remoter object of the action of a verb, that to or for which anything is done.In law: Noting that which may be given or disposed of at pleasure; being in one's gift.Removable, in distinction from perpetual: said of an officer.Given or appointed by a magistrate or a court of justice, in distinction from what is given by law or by a testator: as, an executor dative in Scots law (equivalent to an administrator).n. The dative case. See I., 1.