successive

UK: səkˈsesɪv | US: səkˈsesɪv

Definition
  1. adj. following one after another in a sequence without interruption

  2. adj. inheriting or assuming a title, position, etc., in uninterrupted order

Structure
suc <under/following>cess <go>ive <adjective suffix>
Etymology

The word "successive" originates from Latin successivus, derived from succedere ("to follow after"), which combines sub- (meaning "under" or "following") and cedere ("to go"). The morpheme suc- (a variant of sub-) implies continuity, while -cess conveys movement or progression. The suffix -ive turns the root into an adjective, emphasizing the quality of sequential order. Over time, the term evolved to describe uninterrupted succession, whether in events, inheritance, or logical progression.

Examples
  1. The team celebrated three successive victories in the tournament.

  2. Successive governments have failed to address the issue comprehensively.

  3. The chapters are arranged in successive order of difficulty.

  4. He inherited the throne after the successive deaths of his older brothers.

  5. The experiment was repeated on successive days to ensure accuracy.