əˈsōs(h)ēˌād.iv, -ōshəd.iv,-ōs(h)ēəd.iv adjective
1. : tending to, inducing, or characterized by association especially of ideas or images
an associative symbol
2.
a. : dependent on or characterized by association
an associative reaction
b. : acquired by a process of learning
an associative reflex
3. : of, relating to, or being a mathematical operation that combines elements such that when the order of elements is preserved the result is independent of the grouping
addition is associative since (a + b) + c .a + (b + c)
• as·so·ci·a·tive·ly adverb
• as·so·ci·a·tiv·i·ty əˌsōs(h)ēəˈtivəd.ē noun -es