English edit

Etymology edit

From Middle French distributif.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /dɪsˈtɹɪbjʊtɪv/

Adjective edit

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.
    • 1709, [Jonathan Swift], A Project for the Advancement of Religion, and the Reformation of Manners. [], London: [] Benj[amin] Tooke, [], →OCLC, page 40:
      [I]t is worth obſerving the diſtributive Juſtice of the Authors, which is conſtantly applied to the Puniſhment of Virtue, and the Reward of Vice; []
  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)

Derived terms edit

Translations edit

Noun edit

distributive (plural distributives)

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

Translations edit

French edit

Adjective edit

distributive

  1. feminine singular of distributif

Italian edit

Adjective edit

distributive

  1. feminine plural of distributivo

Swedish edit

Adjective edit

distributive

  1. definite natural masculine singular of distributiv