I. ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷lə]d.iv, -ˌlā], ]tiv, -ēv adjective
1. : increasing in size or strength by successive additions without corresponding loss
the cumulative effect of small daily doses
a cumulative weight of evidence
2.
a. of evidence : tending to prove the same point to which other evidence has been offered
b. of a legacy : given by the same testator to the same legatee
3. criminal law
a. of a sentence : to be carried into effect after the convict has suffered a punishment to which he has already been sentenced
b. of a penalty : increasing in severity with repetition of the offense
4.
a. of preferred dividends or contingent interest : to be added if not paid when due to the next payment or a future payment
b. of stock : bearing such a dividend
5. : formed by the addition of new material of the same kind as that already collected
cumulative record
specifically : having reference to or prepared according to a system whereby additional entries for books or periodical articles are integrated in a later issue of a printed index to maintain the original order of arrangement (as alphabetically by subject)
cumulative book index in the reference library
6. : copulative I 1a
• cu·mu·la·tive·ly -ə̇vlē, -li\ adverb
II. adjective
: summing or integrating over all data or values of a random variable less than or less than or equal to a specified value
cumulative normal distribution
cumulative frequency distribution