I. (ˈ)kō|äp(ə)rəd.iv, -rətiv: (ˈ)kō|äpəˌrād.iv, -ātiv, -ēv also -əv adjective
Etymology: Late Latin cooperativus, from cooperatus + Latin -ivus -ive
1.
a. : marked by cooperation : marked by working together or by joint effort toward a common end
the work demanded cooperative organization
wherever there was a prospect of a steady return to cooperative agriculture, ceorls tended to live together — F.M.Stenton
b. : given to or marked by willingness and ability to work with others in a common effort : not motivated entirely by selfish individual aims : retaining from malingering, lowering morale, or obstructing accomplishment
the professor was not promoted because he was not cooperative
the historians are more cooperative than they used to be; they engage in joint projects and have common standards — Times Literary Supplement
2.
a. : of, relating to, or organized as a cooperative
a cooperative business enterprise
b. : belonging to or undertaken by a cooperative
cooperative producers
cooperative farming
cooperative marketing
c. : favoring the organization of cooperatives
the cooperative movement
3. : showing organized diversification of student activities to include practical work (as in industry, agriculture, social welfare, or in college maintenance activities and domestic chores like cooking and cleaning)
the cooperative plan at various universities
cooperative courses requiring outside work in industry — Massachusetts Institute of Technology Bulletin
a cooperative dormitory
Synonyms: see social
II. noun
( -s )
: an enterprise or organization owned by and operated for the benefit of those using its services
marketing cooperatives
a comsumers' cooperative