Intensive

Intensive

:dablink|In physics, intensive may refer to an intensive quantity.

In grammar, an intensive form of a word is one which denotes stronger or more forceful action as compared with the root on which the intensive is built. Intensives are usually lexical formations, but there may be a regular process for forming intensives from a base root. Intensive formations, for example, existed in Proto-Indo-European, and in many of the Semitic languages.

In Classical Arabic, Form II ("faʿʿal-a") can form intensives, in addition to causatives; while form IV ("'afʿal-a") forms only causitives. Hebrew has a similar distinction between the "pi`el" (intensive) and "hiph`il" (causative) binyans. Some Germanic languages have intensive prefixes or particles that can be attached to verbs; consider German "zer-", which adds the meaning of "... into pieces", e.g. "reißen" "to rip" "zerreißen" "to rip to pieces".

Latin had verbal prefixes "e-" and "per-" that could be more or less freely added onto any verb and variously added such meanings as "to put a great deal of effort into doing something". When the same prefixes ("per" especially) were added onto adjectives, the resulting meaning was "very X" or "extremely X".


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  • intensive — UK US /ɪnˈtensɪv/ adjective ► involving a lot of effort or activity in a short period of time: »June and July are a period of intensive activity for our company. »intensive talks/discussions/negotiations »intensive training/teaching/courses ►… …   Financial and business terms

  • intensive — [in ten′siv] adj. [ML intensious < L intensus: see INTENSE & IVE] 1. increasing or causing to increase in degree or amount 2. of or characterized by intensity; thorough, profound, and intense; concentrated or exhaustive 3. designating care of… …   English World dictionary

  • Intensive — In*ten sive, a. [Cf. F. intensif. See {Intense}.] [1913 Webster] 1. Stretched; admitting of intension, or increase of degree; that can be intensified. Sir M. Hale. [1913 Webster] 2. Characterized by persistence; intent; unremitted; assiduous;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Intensive — In*ten sive, n. That which intensifies or emphasizes; an intensive verb or word. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • -intensive — [in ten′siv] combining form intensively using, requiring large amounts of, or concentrating within itself large amounts of (a specified thing) [energy intensive] * * * …   Universalium

  • -intensive — [ ıntensıv ] suffix used with some nouns to make adjectives meaning that a lot of something is needed: labor intensive industry …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • intensive — (adj.) mid 15c., from Fr. intensif (14c.), from L. intens , pp. stem of intendere (see INTEND (Cf. intend)). As a noun, 1813, from the adjective. Alternative intensitive is a malformation. Intensive care attested from 1958. Related: Intensively …   Etymology dictionary

  • intensive — ► ADJECTIVE 1) very thorough or vigorous. 2) (of agriculture) aiming to achieve maximum production within a limited area. 3) (in combination ) concentrating on or making much use of something: labour intensive methods. DERIVATIVES intensively… …   English terms dictionary

  • -intensive — [in ten′siv] combining form intensively using, requiring large amounts of, or concentrating within itself large amounts of (a specified thing) [energy intensive] …   English World dictionary

  • intensive — I adjective acute, ardent, concentrated, exhaustive, fervent, forceful, intense, intentivus, powerful, sharp, strenuous, strong, thorough, thoroughgoing, unmitigated, vehement, vigorous, zealous II index comprehensive, cumulative (i …   Law dictionary

  • intensive — [adj] exhaustive accelerated, all out*, complete, comprehensive, concentrated, deep, demanding, fast, hard, in depth, out and out*, profound, radical, severe, speeded up*, thorough, thoroughgoing; concept 531 Ant. incomplete, incomprehensive,… …   New thesaurus

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