dis|trib´u|tive|ness

dis|trib|u|tive «dihs TRIHB yuh tihv», adjective, noun.

–adj.

1. of or having to do with distribution; distributing.

2. Grammar. referring to each individual of a group considered separately. Each, every, either, and neither are distributive words.

3. Mathematics. of or having to do with the distributive law; giving the same product when performed on a set of numbers as when performed on the individual members of the set. Example: 6 (7 + 3) = (6 × 7) + (6 × 3). »

a distributive operation. [The] distributive rule of ordinary arithmetic states in symbols that a (b + c) = ab + ac (Scientific American).

4. Logic. (of a term) given its full extension.

–n.

Grammar. a word that divides or distributes. Each and every, which represent the individuals of a collective number as separate, are distributives.

–dis|trib´u|tive|ness, noun.