Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Distributive

Dis-trib′u-tive

,
Adj.
[Cf. F.
distributif
.]
1.
Tending to distribute; serving to divide and assign in portions; dealing to each his proper share.
Distributive justice.”
Swift.
2.
(Logic)
Assigning the species of a general term.
3.
(Gram.)
Expressing separation; denoting a taking singly, not collectively;
as, a
distributive
adjective or pronoun, such as each, either, every; a
distributive
numeral, as (Latin) bini (two by two)
.
Distributive operation
(Math.)
,
any operation which either consists of two or more parts, or works upon two or more things, and which is such that the result of the total operation is the same as the aggregated result of the two or more partial operations. Ordinary multiplication is
distributive
, since
a × (b + c) = ab + ac
, and
(a + b) × c = ac + bc
.
Distributive proportion
.
(Math.)

Dis-trib′u-tive

,
Noun.
(Gram.)
A distributive adjective or pronoun; also, a distributive numeral.

Webster 1828 Edition


Distributive

DISTRIBUTIVE

,
Adj.
1.
That distributes; that divides and assigns in portions; that deals to each his proper share; as distributive justice.
2.
That assigns the various species of a general term.
3.
That separates or divides; as a distributive adjective.

DISTRIBUTIVE

,
Noun.
In grammar, a word that divides or distributes, as each and every, which represent the individuals of a collective number as separate.

Definition 2024


distributive

distributive

English

Adjective

distributive (comparative more distributive, superlative most distributive)

  1. Relating to distribution.
  2. Tending to distribute; serving to divide and assign in portions; dealing a proper share to each.
    distributive justice
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Jonathan Swift to this entry?)
  3. (mathematics) A property of functions that have a rule describing how the function can be performed to the individual components of another operation.
    If function f is distributive with respect to function g, then .
    If the operation is distributive with respect to the operation , then .
  4. (logic) Assigning the species of a general term.
  5. (grammar) Expressing separation; denoting a taking singly, not collectively.
    a distributive adjective or pronoun, such as "each", "either", or "every"
    a distributive numeral, such as Latin "bini" (two by two)

Translations

Related terms

  • distributive justice

Derived terms

Noun

distributive (plural distributives)

  1. (grammar) A distributive adjective or pronoun.
  2. (mathematics) A distributive numeral.

Translations


French

Adjective

distributive

  1. feminine singular of distributif

Italian

Adjective

distributive

  1. feminine plural of distributivo

Swedish

Adjective

distributive

  1. absolute definite natural masculine form of distributiv.