additive

 
Pronunciation: /ˈadɪtɪv/

noun

  • a substance added to something in small quantities to improve or preserve it: many foods contain chemical additives

adjective

  • characterized by, relating to, or produced by addition: the combination of these factors has an additive effect
  • technical relating to the reproduction of colours by the superimposition of primary colours: the video monitor uses the additive colours red, green, and blue

Origin:

late 17th century (as an adjective): from late Latin additivus, from Latin addit- 'added', from the verb addere (see add). The noun dates from the 1940s