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adhesive

[ad-hee-siv, -ziv]
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adjective
  1. coated with glue, paste, mastic, or other sticky substance: adhesive bandages.
  2. sticking fast; sticky; clinging.
  3. Physics. of or relating to the molecular force that exists in the area of contact between unlike bodies and that acts to unite them.
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noun
  1. a substance that causes something to adhere, as glue or rubber cement.
  2. adhesive tape.
  3. Philately. a postage stamp with a gummed back, as distinguished from one embossed or printed on an envelope or card.
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Origin of adhesive

First recorded in 1660–70; adhes(ion) + -ive
Related formsad·he·sive·ly, adverbad·he·sive·ness, nounnon·ad·he·sive, adjectivenon·ad·he·sive·ly, adverbnon·ad·he·sive·ness, nounsem·i·ad·he·sive, adjectivesem·i·ad·he·sive·ly, adverbsem·i·ad·he·sive·ness, nounun·ad·he·sive, adjectiveun·ad·he·sive·ly, adverbun·ad·he·sive·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

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British Dictionary definitions for adhesive

adhesive

adjective
  1. able or designed to adhere; stickyadhesive tape
  2. tenacious or clinging
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noun
  1. a substance used for sticking objects together, such as glue, cement, or paste
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Derived Formsadhesively, adverbadhesiveness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for adhesive

adj.

1660s, from French adhésif, formed in French from Latin adhaes-, past participle stem of adhaere (see adherent).

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n.

1881, from adhesive (adj.). Originally of postage stamps (adhesive stamp is attested from 1840). Of substances that cause to adhere by 1900.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
adhesive in Medicine

adhesive

(ăd-hē′sĭv)
adj.
  1. Tending to adhere; sticky.
  2. Of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an adhesion.
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n.
  1. A substance that adheres to a surface or causes adherence between surfaces.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
adhesive in Science

adhesive

[ăd-hē′sĭv]
Noun
  1. A substance, such as paste or cement, that causes two surfaces to stick together. Adhesives are made of gelatin or other substances, such as epoxy, resin, or polyethylene.
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Adjective
  1. Relating to adhesion.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.