genitive

genitive (genitiv): traditionally, one of the cases of noun phrases. In present-day English, the genitive typically indicates a possessive relationship. It is expressed in English either by the s-genitive (Mary's books, the girls' books) or by the of-genitive (the title of the book, the lady of the house). The genitive can also denote a part-whole relationship (the eye of the needle, the days of the week, the heart of the matter). See also double genitive.