Definition

Adverb 1. In a distributive manner: In a way that relates to, involves, or deals with separate items or members of a group individually, one at a time. 2. As individuals or as separate units (not collectively): Considering or affecting each member of a group singly rather than as a whole.

Usage and Examples

• Describing physical support or arrangement:
  • Marine vertebrates have their weight supported distributively by the water. (The water supports each part of the animal's body separately.)
• Describing consideration of rights or properties:
  • Taken distributively, their rights are imperceptible. (When the rights of each person are considered individually, they seem very small.)

Advanced Usage

• In logic and mathematics: The term is used to describe operations or properties that apply to each element of a set individually. For example, multiplication is over addition (e.g., a(b + c) = ab + ac); the property applies to each term within the parentheses.
• In grammar: It can describe words like "each" or "every" that refer to individual members of a group.

Variants and Related Words

• Distributive (adjective): Relating to distribution or dealing with items individually.
  • The distributive property in algebra.
• Distribute (verb): To give out or deliver to several people or places.
• Distribution (noun): The act of distributing or the way something is distributed.

Synonyms

• Individually: One by one; separately.
• Separately: As a separate entity; not together.
• Singly: One at a time; individually.

Antonyms

• Collectively: As a group; jointly.
• Together: With or in proximity to another person or people.
• En masse: In a group; all together.

Notes on Meaning

The adverb distributively emphasizes a perspective or action focused on the constituent parts rather than the aggregate whole. It is often used in formal, academic, or technical contexts such as law, mathematics, logic, and biology.

Adverb

1. in a distributive manner
   • marine vertebrates have their weight supported distributively by the water
2. as individuals or as separate units (not collectively)
   • taken distributively, their rights are imperceptible