1. A substance not naturally a part of a material ( e.g., food) but deliberately added to fulfill some specific purpose ( e.g., preservation). 2. Tending to add or be added; denoting addition. 3. In metrical studies ( e.g., genetics, epidemiology, physiology, statistics), having the property that the total combined effect of two or more factors equals the sum of their individual effects in isolation. Cf.:synergism.
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ad·di·tive 'ad-ət-iv adj having or relating to a value or effect that is the sum of individual values or effects: as
a) relating to the sum of the pharmacological responses produced by the concurrent administration of two or more drugs capable of producing the same kind of effect
b) having a genetic effect that is the sum of the individual effects
ad·di·tive·ly adv
additive n a substance added to another in relatively small amounts to effect a desired change in properties esp an agent added to a foodstuff to improve color, flavor, texture, or keeping qualities
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ad·di·tive (adґĭ-tiv) 1. characterized by addition; see also under effect. 2. a substance, such as a flavoring agent, preservative, or vitamin, added to another substance (such as a food or drug) that is to be ingested.Medical dictionary. 2011.