# distributive

## English

### Etymology

distributive (comparative more distributive, superlative most distributive)

1. Relating to distribution.
2. Tending to distribute; serving to divide and assign in portions; dealing a proper share to each.
distributive justice
(Can we find and add a quotation of Jonathan Swift to this entry?)
3. (mathematics) A property of functions that have a rule describing how the function can be performed to the individual components of another operation.
If function f is distributive with respect to function g, then ${\displaystyle f(a,g(b,c))=g(f(a,b),f(a,c))}$.
If the operation ${\displaystyle \star }$ is distributive with respect to the operation ${\displaystyle \circ }$, then ${\displaystyle a\star (b\circ c)=(a\star b)\circ (a\star c)}$.
4. (logic) Assigning the species of a general term.
5. (grammar) Expressing separation; denoting a taking singly, not collectively.
a distributive adjective or pronoun, such as "each", "either", or "every"
a distributive numeral, such as Latin "bini" (two by two)

### Noun

distributive (plural distributives)

1. (grammar) A distributive adjective or pronoun.
2. (mathematics) A distributive numeral.

distributive