definitions

recursive

[ ri-kur-siv ]
/ rɪˈkɜr sɪv /
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR recursive ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

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

RELATED WORDS

repeated, recurrent, circular, looping, periodic, iterative, repetitive

Nearby words

recurring, recurring decimal, recurring digital fibroma of childhood, recursion, recursion formula, recursive, recursive definition, recursive function, recursive subroutine, recurvate, recurvation

Origin of recursive

First recorded in 1935–40; recurs(ion) + -ive
Related formsre·cur·sive·ly, adverbre·cur·sive·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Word Origin and History for recursive

recursive

adj.

1790, "periodically recurring," from Latin recurs-, stem of recurrere (see recur) + -ive. Mathematical sense is from 1934. Related: Recursively; recursiveness.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper