distributive

[ dih-strib-yuh-tiv ]

adjective

1. serving to distribute, assign, allot, or divide; characterized by or pertaining to distribution.
2. Grammar. referring to the members of a group individually, as the adjectives each and every.
3. Logic. (of a term) distributed in a given proposition.
4. Mathematics.
   1. (of a binary operation) having the property that terms in an expression may be expanded in a particular way to form an equivalent expression, as a ( b + c ) = ab + ac.
   2. having reference to this property:

      distributive law for multiplication over addition.

   3. (of a lattice) having the property that for any three elements, the intersection of the first element with the union of the others is equal to the intersection of the first element with each of the others.

noun

1. a distributive word or expression.

distributive

/ dɪˈstrɪbjʊtɪv /

adjective

1. characterized by or relating to distribution
2. grammar referring separately to the individual people or items in a group, as the words each and every

noun

1. grammar a distributive word
2. maths able to be distributed:

   multiplication is distributive over addition

distributive

/ dĭ-strĭb′yə-tĭv /

1. Relating to the property of multiplication over division which states that applying multiplication to a set of quantities that are combined by addition yields the same result as applying multiplication to each quantity individually and then adding those results together. Thus 2 × (3 + 4) is equal to (2 × 3) + (2 × 4).
2. See also associative

Derived Forms

• disˈtributively, adverb
• disˈtributiveness, noun

Other Words From

• dis·tribu·tive·ly adverb
• dis·tribu·tive·ness noun
• nondis·tribu·tive adjective
• nondis·tribu·tive·ly adverb
• nondis·tribu·tive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of distributive¹

1425–75; late Middle English distributif < Middle French < Late Latin distribūtīvus ( distribute, -ive )

Example Sentences

There is a need of decentralization of power and more distributive digital models.

From MIT Technology Review

Throughout, the book puts intergenerational equity and various forms of distributive politics at its center.

From MIT Technology Review

So, I am advocating a global economy that is regenerative by design, works within the cycles of the living world, and that is distributive by design, shares value far more equitably with everyone who’s co-creating it.

From Freakonomics

Greg Sargent at The Washington Post has charted the distributive effect of the ACA tax increases.

From The Daily Beast

The distributive share of each child has amounted to only about one-third of the sum then contemplated.

From Project Gutenberg

The term "great men" is distributive in the premises and collective in the conclusion.

From Project Gutenberg

During the forties, consumers' or distributive cooperation was also given a trial.

From Project Gutenberg

Next in order comes the "establishment of cooperative institutions productive and distributive."

From Project Gutenberg

The career of distributive cooperation in America has always been intimately related to the movements of retail prices and wages.

From Project Gutenberg