Additive
/ˈæd.ɪ.tɪv/noun
An additive is something added to another substance or process, often to enhance or preserve it.
Did you know?Additive comes from Latin *addere* (“to add”), literally built from *ad-* (“to, toward”) + *dare* (“to give”), so the word’s ancient core is basically “give toward.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
4
“to give”
Latin
Latin
dare
“to give”
Latin
Latin
addere
“to put to, add”
Late Latin
Latin
additivus
“capable of being added”
14th Century
English
additif
“adding or capable of being added”
Modern English
English
additive
“a substance or ingredient added to something else”