cumulative

adj

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱewh₁- Proto-Indo-European *ḱuh₁mósder.? Latin cumulus Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Italic *-āō Latin -ō Latin cumulō Latin cumulātusbor. English cumulate Proto-Indo-European *-wós Proto-Indo-European *-iHwósder. Latin -īvus Old French -ifbor. Middle English -yf English -ive English cumulative From cumulate + -ive. Compare also French cumulatif, Italian cumulativo and Spanish cumulativo.

1. Incorporating all current and previous data up to the present or at the time of measuring or collating.
2. That is formed by an accumulation of successive additions.

   “As for knowledge which man receiveth by teaching, it is cumulative, not original.”

   “The argument […] is in very truth not logical and single, but moral and cumulative.”

3. That is formed by an accumulation of successive additions.

   “cumulative conjunctions like and, both…and and as well as”

4. That tends to accumulate.
5. Having priority rights to receive a dividend that accrue until paid.
6. (of evidence, witnesses, etc.) Intended to illustrate an argument that has already been demonstrated excessively.

   “The state wants to bring in ten blood-spatter experts to testify. Your Honor, that is cumulative testimony.”