“having power to denote,” 1610s, from Latin denotat-, past-participle stem of denotare (see denote) + -ive. Related: Denotatively.

denote (v.)

1590s, “mark off from others; identify by a mark; be the sign or symptom of,” from French dénoter (14c.), from Latin denotare “denote, mark out,” from de- “completely” (see de-) + notare “to mark, note, make a note” (see note (v.)). Related: Denoted; denoting.