[pro.gres.sive] adj (ca. 1612) 1 a: of, relating to, or characterized by progress b: making use of or interested in new ideas, findings, or opportunities c: of, relating to, or constituting an educational theory marked by emphasis on the individual child, informality of classroom procedure, and encouragement of self-expression
2: of, relating to, or characterized by progression
3: moving forward or onward: advancing
4. a: increasing in extent or severity "a ~ disease" b: increasing in rate as the base increases "a ~ tax"
5. often cap: of or relating to political Progressives
6: of, relating to, or constituting a verb form that expresses action or state in progress at the time of speaking or a time spoken of -- pro.gres.sive.ly adv -- pro.gres.sive.ness n
[2]progressive n (1846) 1 a: one that is progressive b: one believing in moderate political change and esp. social improvement by governmental action
2. cap: a member of any of various U.S. political parties: as a: a member of a predominantly agrarian minor party that around 1912 split off from the Republicans; specif: bull moose b: a follower of Robert M. La Follette in the presidential campaign of 1924 c: a follower of Henry A. Wallace in the presidential campaign of 1948