ab·strac·tive \(ˈ)abz|traktiv, əbzˈ-, -ab|st-, əbˈst-, -ēv\adjective Etymology: Medieval Latin abstractivus, from Latin abstractus + -ivus -ive 1.: having the power of abstracting : of an abstracting nature < abstractive analysis > 2. a.: derived by a process of abstraction < an abstractive element > b.: belonging to or formed by abstraction • ab·strac·tive·lyadverb