recursive

 
Pronunciation: /rɪˈkəːsɪv/

adjective

  • characterized by recurrence or repetition, in particular:
  • Mathematics & Linguistics relating to or involving the repeated application of a rule, definition, or procedure to successive results: this restriction ensures that the grammar is recursive
  • Computing relating to or involving a program or routine of which a part requires the application of the whole, so that its explicit interpretation requires in general many successive executions: a recursive subroutine

Derivatives

recursively

adverb

Origin:

late 18th century (in the general sense): from late Latin recurs- 'returned' (from the verb recurrere 'run back') + -ive. Specific uses have arisen in the 20th century