"approximate" or "approximative"

[zorank]

Both should be adjectives, of course.

The second seems to be derivative of the other (so it is claimed in an online dictionary).

But the first sounds strange to my Slavic ear in the scientific context, for example

Approximate equations

does not sound well. I think that

Approximative equations

sounds better. I am curious how an English speaking person sees this.

Regards
Zoran

[SoothingDave]

I had no idea that "approximative" exists as a word.

Use "approximate."

[zorank]

Thanks!

By the way,

definition of approximate from Oxford Dictionaries Online

it says that the second word is the derivative of the first. Have no clue whether that means that the second words is a legitimate variant of the first.

Also, googling for "An approximative model" gives many scientific papers with the term.

Zoran

[JohnParis]

Approximative isn't a word. Yet ...
As for citing Google for frequency of apparition of words in scientific articles, that will get you nowhere. The number of hits returned by Google is not a reliable argument in support of the existence of a word.

[SoothingDave]

Approximative | Define Approximative at Dictionary.com

"Approximative" is a word. It's the adjective form of "approximation."

"Approximate" is an adjective meaning "very near."

I am not sure the distinction between "This is an equation arrived at because I made an approximation" and "This is an equation arrived at because the results are very close to perfect" is real.

[zorank]

Approximative isn't a word. Yet ...
As for citing Google for frequency of apparition of words in scientific articles, that will get you nowhere. The number of hits returned by Google is not a reliable argument in support of the existence of a word.

Well, well, I agree in principle. You are right. But, ... if a term of interest appears in published scientific literature, with skilled editors keeping a watchful eye, then I trust the term can be used. Of course, if the term appears on a blogg then I would be sceptical. The term we are discussing appears in the scientic literature. Just for the record.

[zorank]

Approximative | Define Approximative at Dictionary.com

... the adjective form of ...

...an adjective meaning ...
.

Is there a strict grammatical distinction between the two? Just curious...

[SoothingDave]

Is there a strict grammatical distinction between the two? Just curious...

Not that I am aware of. I think the two words are synonymous, which is why I pick the common, simpler version.

Now, maybe, maybe, there is a technical distinction in the academic field that makes them choose the other word. Or maybe they just are inflating their language to sound more important. Like utilizing "utilize" instead of "use."

[zorank]

I like your analysis. Thanks!