[veg.e.ta.tive] adj (14c) 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 ~ nucleus" b: promoting plant growth "the ~ properties of soil" c: of, relating to, or involving propagation by nonsexual processes or methods
2: relating to, composed of, or suggesting vegetation "~ cover"
3: of or relating to the division of nature comprising the plant kingdom
4: affecting, arising from, or relating to involuntary bodily functions
5: vegetable 3 -- veg.e.ta.tive.ly adv -- veg.e.ta.tive.ness n