What is "laudative"

Laudative \Laud"a*tive\, n. A panegyric; a eulogy. [Obs.]
--Bacon.

Laudative \Laud"a*tive\, a. [L. laudativus laudatory: cf. F. laudatif.] Laudatory.

a. laudatory n. (context obsolete English) A panegyric; a eulogy.

Laudatives (from Latin laudare "to praise") are words or grammatical forms that denote a positive affect. That is, they express praise or approval on the part of the speaker. Laudatory words are rare in English compared to pejorative ones, though there are a few, such as "steed" for a fine horse. More common is laudative use of metaphor, such as calling a helpful person a "saint" or fine food "ambrosia". Intonation may convey a laudative affect, as in "What a house!" said with an air of wonder. ("What a ..." with different intonation can express contempt.)