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additive

Syllabification: (ad·di·tive)

Pronunciation: /ˈaditiv/

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Definition of additive

noun

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

adjective

characterized by, relating to, or produced by addition:an additive process the combination of these factors has an additive effect
technical of or relating to the reproduction of colors by the superimposition of primary colors:the video monitor uses the additive colors 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

additive in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of additive in the British & World English dictionary

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