associative
pertaining to or resulting from association.
tending to associate or unite.
Mathematics, Logic.
(of an operation on a set of elements) giving an equivalent expression when elements are grouped without change of order, as (a + b) + c = a + (b + c).
having reference to this property: associative law of multiplication.
Origin of associative
1Other words from associative
- as·so·ci·a·tive·ly [uh-soh-shee-ey-tiv-lee, -uh-tiv-, -see-], /əˈsoʊ ʃiˌeɪ tɪv li, -ə tɪv-, -si-/, adverb
- as·so·ci·a·tiv·i·ty [uh-soh-shee-uh-tiv-i-tee, -see-, -shuh-tiv-], /əˌsoʊ ʃi əˈtɪv ɪ ti, -si-, -ʃəˈtɪv-/, as·so·ci·a·tive·ness, noun
- non·as·so·ci·a·tive, adjective
- non·as·so·ci·a·tive·ly, adverb
- sub·as·so·ci·a·tive, adjective
- sub·as·so·ci·a·tive·ly, adverb
- un·as·so·ci·a·tive, adjective
- un·as·so·ci·a·tive·ly, adverb
Words Nearby associative
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use associative in a sentence
And—it’s funny, because I have yet to watch the show—the idea of the trilogy moving in a nonlinear and more associative instead of sequential logic came from somebody telling me about the TV show The Affair.
How Marlon James Is Rewriting the Rules of Fantasy Fiction | Elijah Wolfson | February 15, 2022 | TimePavlov’s dog is the most well-known example of classical conditioning, in which a dog salivates in response to a ringing bell because it has formed an associative memory between the bell and food.
New Research: Memories May Be Stored in the Connections Between Brain Cells | Don Arnold | January 13, 2022 | Singularity HubThis meant that forming an associative memory involves synapse formation and loss, but not necessarily changes in the strength of existing synapses, as previously thought.
Fish brains provide insight on how humans store memories | Don Arnold / The Conversation | January 11, 2022 | Popular-ScienceUnlike most games that bend over backward to deliver easily digestible narratives, “Genesis Noir” leans into abstraction and associative logic with unabashed zeal.
‘Genesis Noir’: A stunning game about love, murder, joy and the Big Bang | Christopher Byrd | April 12, 2021 | Washington PostIn the book’s best bits, his broad thesis provides fertile ground for expansive and erudite associative thought.
Exploring the sense of touch, and why we hunger for contact | Sophie Dess | February 26, 2021 | Washington Post
Who is Friedman's source (and, by the associative property, Shapiro's)?
Certain professors see a chance to benefit from this associative taint.
The Professor of Hip-Hop: Adam Bradley’s Poetic Mission | Nick Romeo | September 17, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTSo, you know, I think the other thing…I think we suffered quite a few associative attacks from Obama.
I mean, instead, a mind that is thoughtful, curious, with a discernable pattern of associative thinking and insight.
Thus, the thinking of primitive man is almost exclusively associative.
Elements of Folk Psychology | Wilhelm WundtBy one of those associative reversals which are common in the field of mythology, this then reacted upon the corpse itself.
Elements of Folk Psychology | Wilhelm WundtThe element of associative suggestion also enters into the manifestation of sthetic emotional feeling.
Your Mind and How to Use It | William Walker AtkinsonThe utility of smell would be great because it is accurate, and hence powerful in its associative quality.
Criminal Psychology | Hans GrossWe say nothing here of Relative or associative Beauty,this has never been doubted either in its essence or its value.
Spare Hours | John Brown
British Dictionary definitions for associative
/ (əˈsəʊʃɪətɪv) /
of, relating to, or causing association or union
maths logic
being independent of the grouping of numbers, symbols, or terms within a given set, as in conjunction or in an expression such as (2 × 3) × 4 = 2 × (3 × 4)
referring to this property: the associative laws of arithmetic
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for associative
[ ə-sō′shə-tĭv ]
Of or relating to the property of an operation, such as addition or multiplication, which states that the grouping of numbers undergoing the operation does not change the result. For example, 3 + (4 + 5) is equal to (3 + 4) + 5. See also commutative distributive.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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