/ ɪnˈtensɪv; NAmE / adjective
1.
involving a lot of work or activity done in a short time :
an intensive language course
two weeks of intensive training
intensive diplomatic negotiations
2.
extremely thorough; done with a lot of care :
His disappearance has been the subject of intensive investigation.
3.
( of methods of farming ) aimed at producing as much food as possible using as little land or as little money as possible :
Traditionally reared animals grow more slowly than those reared under intensive farming conditions.
intensive agriculture
—see also capital-intensive , labour-intensive
► in·ten·sive·ly adverb :
This case has been intensively studied.
intensively farmed land
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the sense vehement, intense ): from French intensif , -ive or medieval Latin intensivus , from intendere intend, extend, direct, from in- towards + tendere stretch, tend.