transitive
[ tran-si-tiv, -zi- ]
/ ˈtræn sɪ tɪv, -zɪ- /
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adjective
Grammar. having the nature of a transitive verb.
characterized by or involving transition; transitional; intermediate.
passing over to or affecting something else; transeunt.
Mathematics. noting a relation in which one element in relation to a second element and the second in relation to a third element implies the first element is in relation to the third element, as the relation “less than or equal to.”
noun
Grammar. a transitive verb.
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Origin of transitive
First recorded in 1550–60; from Late Latin trānsitīvus, equivalent to Latin trānsit(us) (see transition) + -īvus -ive
OTHER WORDS FROM transitive
Words nearby transitive
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for transitive
British Dictionary definitions for transitive
transitive
/ (ˈtrænsɪtɪv) /
adjective
grammar
- denoting an occurrence of a verb when it requires a direct object or denoting a verb that customarily requires a direct object``to find'' is a transitive verb
- (as noun)these verbs are transitives
grammar denoting an adjective, such as fond, or a noun, such as husband, that requires a noun phrase and cannot be used without some implicit or explicit reference to such a noun phrase
logic maths having the property that if one object bears a relationship to a second object that also bears the same relationship to a third object, then the first object bears this relationship to the third objectmathematical equality is transitive, since if x = y and y = z then x = z
Compare intransitive
Derived forms of transitive
transitively, adverbtransitivity or transitiveness, nounWord Origin for transitive
C16: from Late Latin transitīvus from Latin transitus a going over; see transient
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Scientific definitions for transitive
transitive
[ trăn′sĭ-tĭv ]
Of or relating to a mathematical or logical relation between three elements such that if the relation holds between the first and second elements and between the second and third elements, it necessarily holds between the first and third elements. The relation of being greater than in mathematics is transitive, since if a > b and b > c, then a > c.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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