massive
massive definition
mas·sive (mas′iv)
adjective
- forming or consisting of a large mass; big and solid; bulky; ponderous
- larger or greater than normal a massive dose of medicine
- large and imposing or impressive; of considerable magnitude
- large-scale; extensive massive retaliation
- Geol.: said of some stratified rocks
- homogeneous in structure, without stratification, foliation, etc. massive rock formations
- occurring in thick beds, without minor joints and lamination
- Med. heavy and of wide extent massive hemorrhage
- Mineralogy irregular in form, though occasionally crystalline in internal structure
Etymology: Fr massif, with change of suffix (see -ive), for OFr massiz < VL *massiceus < L massa, mass
Related Forms:
- massively mas′·sively adverb
- massiveness mas′·sive·ness noun
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