recursive

[ ri-kur-siv ]

adjective

1. pertaining to or using a rule or procedure that can be applied repeatedly.
2. Mathematics, Computers. pertaining to or using the mathematical process of recursion:

   a recursive function; a recursive procedure.

Other Words From

• re·cursive·ly adverb
• re·cursive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of recursive¹

First recorded in 1935–40; recurs(ion) + -ive

Example Sentences

One might think that it doesn’t take a CIA-trained mastermind to introduce recursive loyalty purges, financial problems, and legal feuds into an organization led by Donald Trump.

From Slate

At the same time, Altman notes that the worst-case outcome of AGI could be "lights-out for all of us," meaning total human extinction, caused not by a planetary chain reaction but by a different exponential process called "recursive self-improvement," which some believe could trigger an "intelligence explosion."

From Salon

Besides, commercials are already recursive, by design.

From New York Times

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we’ve heard a lot of recursive testimony over the past week, and I think it’s safe to say we’ve all learned a lot about A.I.

From Slate

The first act is stronger than the wandering, sagging second, but her orchestra integrates with singers rather than accompanies them; her arias sit well in the voice, with melodies that match the dramaturgy; and the finale is recursive, neatly packaging the action’s 24 hours.

From New York Times

Related Words

• circular
• looping
• recurrent
• repeated