Definition of additive
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : of, relating to, or characterized by addition an additive process
2 : produced by addition
3 : characterized by, being, or producing effects (such as drug responses or gene products) that when the causative factors act together are the sum of their individual effects
additive
nounDefinition of additive (Entry 2 of 2)
: a substance added to another in relatively small amounts to effect a desired change in properties
food additives
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Time Traveler for additive
The first known use of additive was in 1648
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