as·so·ci·a·tive 
(ə-sōshə-tĭv, -sē-ə-tĭv, -sē-ā′tĭv, -shē-)
(ə-sōshə-tĭv, -sē-ə-tĭv, -sē-ā′tĭv, -shē-)adj.
1. Of, characterized by, resulting from, or causing association.
2. Mathematics Independent of the grouping of elements. For example, if a + (b + c) = (a + b) + c, the operation indicated by + is associative.
as·soci·a·tive·ly adv.
as·so′ci·a′tivi·ty (-sē-ə-tĭvĭ-tē, -shē-, -shə-tĭv-) n.