— associatively /euh soh"shee ay'tiv lee, -euh tiv-, -see-/ , adv. — associativity /euh soh'shee euh tiv"i tee, -see-, -sheuh tiv"-/ , associativeness , n.
/euh soh"shee ay'tiv, -see-, -sheuh tiv/ , adj.
1. pertaining to or resulting from association.
2. tending to associate or unite.
3. Math. , Logic.
a. (of an operation on a set of elements) giving an equivalent expression when elements are grouped without change of order, as ( a + b ) + c = a + ( b + c ).
b. having reference to this property: associative law of multiplication.
[ 1805-15; ASSOCIATE + -IVE ]