massive (masiv)

[= D. ma ief = G. Dan. Sw. ma iv, The common military sword is a heavy, ma ive weapon, for close engagement. Horsley, Works, I. vii. The tallest of my folios, Opera Bonaventuræ, choice and ma ive divinity, to which its two supporters (... Bellarmine and Holy Thomas) showed but as dwarfs itself an Ascapart. Lamb , Elia, p. 34. 2. Existing in ma or ma es; ma ed or aggregated; not separated into parts or elements: specifically applied in psychology to sensations or feelings. As this aggregate [of pleasurable recollections] grows by accumulation, it becomes vague in proportion as it beH. Spencer, Prin. of Psychol., § 513. comes ma ive. The entrance into a warm bath gives our skin a more ma ive feeling than the prick of a pin. W. James, Mind, XII. 1. The distinction in pleasures (and in pains) between the acute and voluminous or ma ive (Intensity and Quantity) is pregnant with vital results. A. Bain , Emotions and Will, p. 12. 3. Pertaining to the whole ma or bulk of anything; total, as to ma ; not special, local, or partial. ma ive Opposing ma ive to localised or specialised stimulation. Proc. Soc. Psych. Research, Oct., 1886, p. 134. 4. In mineral., without crystalline form, although perhaps crystalline in structure: as, a mineral that occurs ma ive. A mineral which is both ma ive and non-crystalline is said to be am or pho us.-5. In geol., homogeneous; destitute of structural divisions, such as planes of stratification or jointing. By some geologists the term ma ive is used as synonymous with eruptive or Plutonic igneous, but such rocks often have one or more well-marked systems of joints, and are by no means homogeneous. 6. In zoöl., ma ed: applied to the type of structure represented by the mollusks. Von Baer. [Rare.] - Ma ive eruption, in geol., the pouring forth of lava from a line or system of fi ures, so that vast areas have become covered by nearly horizontal sheets of eruptive material. =Syn. 1. Ma y, Ponderous, etc. See bulky. ma ively (mas'iv-li), adv. In a ma ; ponderously.