collective
UK: kəˈlɛktɪv | US: kəˈlɛktɪv
adj. 1. Relating to a group or society as a whole; shared by all members.
n. 2. A cooperative enterprise or organization owned and controlled by its members.
The word "collective" stems from the Latin collectivus, derived from collectus (past participle of colligere, meaning "to gather"). The root collect preserves the core idea of "gathering," while the suffix -ive forms an adjective indicating "relating to." Over time, the term evolved to emphasize shared action or ownership, reflecting communal efforts in social and economic contexts.
The team made a collective decision to postpone the project.
She works for a farmers' collective that sells organic produce.
Collective bargaining ensures fair wages for employees.
The artwork reflects the collective creativity of the community.
Their success was a result of collective effort.