associative Hear it!

associative definition

as·so·cia·tive (ə sō′s̸hē āt′iv, -sē-; -s̸hə tiv)

adjective

  1. of, characterized by, or causing association, as of ideas
  2. Math. of or pertaining to an operation in which the result is the same regardless of the way the elements are grouped, as, in addition, 2 + (3 + 4) = (2 + 3) + 4 and in multiplication, 2(3 x 4) = (2 x 3)4

Etymology: ML associativus

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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