associative

as·so·cia·tive

adjective \ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌā-tiv, -sē-, -shə-tiv\

Definition of ASSOCIATIVE

1

: of or relating to association especially of ideas or images

2

: dependent on or acquired by association or learning

3

: of, having, or being the property of combining to the same mathematical result regardless of the grouping of an expression's elements given that the order of those elements is preserved <addition is associative since (a + b) + c = a + (b + c)>

— as·so·cia·tive·ly adverb

— as·so·cia·tiv·i·ty \-ˌsō-shē-ə-ˈti-və-tē, -sē-, -shə-ˈti-\ noun

First Known Use of ASSOCIATIVE

1804

Rhymes with ASSOCIATIVE

accelerative, accumulative, administrative, alliterative, assimilative, authoritative, collaborative, commemorative, communicative, cooperative, corroborative, deliberative, determinative, illuminative, investigative, multiplicative, originative, recuperative, regenerative

as·so·cia·tive

adjective \ə-ˈsō-s(h)ē-ˌāt-iv, -shət-iv\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of ASSOCIATIVE

1

: of or relating to association especially of ideas or images <an associative symbol>

2

a : dependent on or characterized by association <an associative reaction> b : acquired by a process of learning <an associative reflex>