adj. & n.
adj. 1 moving forward (progressive motion). 2 proceeding step by step; cumulative (progressive drug use). 3 a (of a political party, government, etc.) favouring or implementing rapid progress or social reform. b modern; efficient (this is a progressive company). 4 (of disease, violence, etc.) increasing in severity or extent. 5 (of taxation) at rates increasing with the sum taxed. 6 (of a card-game, dance, etc.) with periodic changes of partners. 7 Gram. (of an aspect) expressing an action in progress, e.g. am writing, was writing. 8 (of education) informal and without strict discipline, stressing individual needs.
n. (also Progressive) an advocate of progressive political policies. progressively adv. progressiveness n. progressivism n. progressivist n. & adj.
[ F progressif -ive or med.L progressivus (as PROGRESS) ]