ˈvejəˌtād.]iv, -āt], ]ēv also ]əv, chiefly Brit -jətətiv adjective
Etymology: Middle English vegetatif, from Medieval Latin vegetativus, from vegetatus (past participle of vegetare ) + Latin -ivus -ive
1.
a. : growing or having the power of growing : of, relating to, or engaged in nutritive and growth functions (as of a plant) as contrasted with reproductive functions
a vegetative stage in the life history of a plant
a vegetative nucleus
roots, stems, and leaves are termed the vegetative organs of a seed plant's body — H.J.Fuller & Oswald Tippo
concerned with the vegetative activities of the plant — E.W.Sinnott
b. : having the power to induce growth in plants : productive
the vegetative properties of soil
c. : of or relating to the propagation especially of plants by nonsexual processes (as gemmation or the formation of runners or tubers) or methods (as division, cuttings, or grafting)
2. : vegetational
vegetative cover
the vegetative layer of forest duff — Russell Lord
3. : of or relating to the division of nature comprising the vegetable kingdom
the vegetative as contrasted with the animal world
4. : affecting, arising from, or relating to involuntary bodily functions or especially the parasympathetic nervous system : autonomic
a vegetative neurosis
vegetative symptoms
circulation, respiration, digestion, excretion, and related vegetative functions — F.A.Geldard
5. : leading a secluded or passive existence without social or intellectual activity : vegetable 4
• veg·e·ta·tive·ly adverb
• veg·e·ta·tive·ness noun -es