distributive
UK: dɪˈstrɪbjʊtɪv | US: dɪˈstrɪbjʊtɪv
adj. relating to the act of distributing or sharing something among multiple recipients
adj. (mathematics) describing a property where operations apply to each term in an expression (e.g., a(b + c) = ab + ac)
adj. (grammar) referring to words or constructions that denote individual members of a group separately (e.g., "each," "every")
The word "distributive" originates from Latin distributivus, derived from distribuere ("to distribute"), which combines dis- (apart) and tribuere (to assign or allot). The root tribuere itself comes from tribus (tribe), reflecting ancient practices of allocating resources among tribes. Over time, the term evolved to encompass mathematical and grammatical concepts, emphasizing division or individual allocation.
The distributive property simplifies algebraic expressions by breaking them into smaller parts.
In some languages, distributive numerals are used to count items individually.
The teacher explained how distributive justice ensures fair resource allocation.
"Each" is a distributive pronoun referring to members of a group separately.
The company adopted a distributive model to share profits among employees.