adjective

cumulative

cumulative, accumulative, aggregate

The cumulative effect of pollution is damaging.

The cumulative effect of pollution is damaging.

He received a cumulative sentence of ten years.

He received a cumulative sentence of ten years.

((cumulative)) + noun The cumulative effect was huge.

Synonyms: accumulative, increasing, aggregate; Antonyms: decreasing, subtractive

From Latin 'cumulare' meaning 'to heap up', from 'cumulus' meaning 'heap'.

Think of a 'cumulus' cloud, which is a heap of water vapor. 'Cumulative' refers to the result of things heaping up over time.

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