Mid 19th century; earliest use found in The Times. From French rectificatif from post-classical Latin rectificat-, past participial stem of rectificare + French -if. Compare post-classical Latin rectificativus, Spanish rectificativo, Portuguese retificativo.
Definition of rectificative in US English:
rectificative
adjective
Rectifying.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in The Times. From French rectificatif from post-classical Latin rectificat-, past participial stem of rectificare + French -if. Compare post-classical Latin rectificativus, Spanish rectificativo, Portuguese retificativo.