adj.
Pronunciation: ' ve-j ə - ˌ t ā -tiv
Function: adjective
Date: 14th century
1 a (1) : growing or having the power of growing (2) : of, relating to, or engaged in nutritive and growth functions as contrasted with reproductive functions <a vegetative nucleus> b : promoting plant growth <the vegetative properties of soil> c : of, relating to, or involving propagation by nonsexual processes or methods
2 : relating to, composed of, or suggesting vegetation
3 : of or relating to the division of nature comprising the plant kingdom
4 a : AUTONOMIC 1 b : characterized by, resulting from, or being a state of severe mental impairment in which only involuntary bodily functions are sustained
5 : VEGETABLE 3
– veg · e · ta · tive · ly adverb
– veg · e · ta · tive · ness noun