associative

[uh-soh-shee-ey-tiv, -see-, -shuh-tiv] /əˈsoʊ ʃiˌeɪ tɪv, -si-, -ʃə tɪv/
adjective
1.
pertaining to or resulting from association.
2.
tending to associate or unite.
3.
Mathematics, Logic.
  1. (of an operation on a set of elements) giving an equivalent expression when elements are grouped without change of order, as (a + b) + c = a + (b + c).
  2. having reference to this property:
    associative law of multiplication.
Origin
1805-15; associate + -ive
Related forms
associatively
[uh-soh-shee-ey-tiv-lee, -uh-tiv-, -see-] /əˈsoʊ ʃiˌeɪ tɪv li, -ə tɪv-, -si-/ (Show IPA), adverb
associativity
[uh-soh-shee-uh-tiv-i-tee, -see-, -shuh-tiv-] /əˌsoʊ ʃi əˈtɪv ɪ ti, -si-, -ʃəˈtɪv-/ (Show IPA), associativeness, noun
nonassociative, adjective
nonassociatively, adverb
subassociative, adjective
subassociatively, adverb
unassociative, adjective
unassociatively, adverb
British Dictionary definitions for associative

associative

/əˈsəʊʃɪətɪv/
adjective
1.
of, relating to, or causing association or union
2.
(maths, logic)
  1. being independent of the grouping of numbers, symbols, or terms within a given set, as in conjunction or in an expression such as (2 × 3) × 4 = 2 × (3 × 4)
  2. referring to this property: the associative laws of arithmetic
Word Origin and History for associative
adj.

1812, from associate (v.) + -ive.

associative in Science
associative
(ə-sō'shə-tĭv)
Of or relating to the property of an operation, such as addition or multiplication, which states that the grouping of numbers undergoing the operation does not change the result. For example, 3 + (4 + 5) is equal to (3 + 4) + 5. See also commutative, distributive.