dictionary definitions for "invasive"


From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:

  invasive
      adj 1: relating to a technique in which the body is entered by
             puncture or incision [ant: noninvasive]
      2: marked by a tendency to spread especially into healthy
         tissue; "invasive cancer cells" [ant: confined]
      3: involving invasion or aggressive attack; "invasive war"
         [syn: incursive, invading]
      4: gradually intrusive without right or permission; "we moved
         back from the encroaching tide"; "invasive tourists";
         "trespassing hunters" [syn: {encroaching(a)},
         {trespassing(a)}]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Invasive \In*va"sive\, a. [LL. invasivus: cf. F. invasif. See
     Invade.]
     1. Tending to invade; characterized by invasion; aggressive.
        "Invasive war." --Hoole.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Med.) tending to spread, especially tending to intrude
        into healthy tissue; -- used mostly of tumors. [Narrower
        terms: malignant] PJC]


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