First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
massive
adjective mas·sive \ˈma-siv\
: very large and heavy
: large in amount or degree
: very severe
Full Definition of MASSIVE
1
2
a : large, solid, or heavy in structure <massive jaw> b : large in scope or degree <the feeling of frustration, of being ineffectual, is massive — David Halberstam> c (1) : large in comparison to what is typical <a massive dose of penicillin> (2) : being extensive and severe <massive hemorrhage> (3) : imposing in excellence or grandeur <massive simplicity>
3
: having mass <a massive boson>
— mas·sive·ly adverb
— mas·sive·ness noun
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Origin of MASSIVE
Middle English massiffe, from Anglo-French mascif, alteration of massiz, from Vulgar Latin *massicius, from Latin massa mass
Rhymes with MASSIVE
MASSIVE Defined for Kids
massive
adjective mas·sive \ˈma-siv\
Definition of MASSIVE for Kids
: very large, heavy, and solid <a massive ship>
Medical Dictionary
massive
adjective mas·sive \ˈmas-iv\
Medical Definition of MASSIVE
1
: large in comparison to what is typical—used especially of medical dosage or of an infective agent <a massive dose of penicillin>
2
: being extensive and severe—used of a pathologic condition <a massive hemorrhage> <a massive collapse of a lung>
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