Cumulative

Part of Speech

Adjective

Pronunciation

IPA: /ˈkjuː.mjʊ.lə.tɪv/ or /ˈkjuː.mjə.lə.tɪv/

Phonetic: KYOO-myuh-luh-tiv

Definitions

• Increasing or growing by successive additions.
• Formed by gradual accumulation.
• (Finance) Accruing over time and not reset periodically.
• (Law) Additional or successive in effect, especially penalties or damages.

Usage Examples

• The cumulative effect of poor diet and lack of exercise can lead to health problems.
• The team's cumulative score determined the winner of the tournament.
• Over the years, his cumulative knowledge of history made him an expert.

Etymology

From Latin "cumulativus," derived from "cumulare" (to heap up), from "cumulus" (a heap or pile).

Synonyms

• Increasing
• Accumulated
• Progressive
• Aggregated
• Growing

Antonyms

• Decreasing
• Diminishing
• Reducing
• Declining

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• British English: /ˈkjuː.mjʊ.lə.tɪv/
• American English: /ˈkjuː.mjə.lə.tɪv/
• Australian English: /ˈkjuː.mjʊ.lə.tɪv/

Historical Usage

The term "cumulative" has been used in English since the 17th century, often in legal, financial, and scientific contexts to describe things that increase over time.

Cultural Nuances

In finance, "cumulative interest" refers to interest that builds up over time. In education, "cumulative learning" signifies the process of building knowledge step by step. The concept is widely used in business, statistics, and social sciences.

More Information

"Cumulative" is a widely used term in various fields, including finance, law, and science. Cumulative voting is a method used in corporate elections, allowing shareholders to concentrate votes on a single candidate. In legal contexts, cumulative sentences mean successive punishments that add up over time. Understanding cumulative effects is crucial in medicine, economics, and environmental sciences.