colligative

[ kol-i-gey-tiv ]
/ ˈkɒl ɪˌgeɪ tɪv /

adjective Physical Chemistry.

(of the properties of a substance) depending on the number of molecules or atoms rather than on their nature.

Origin of colligative

First recorded in 1900–05; colligate + -ive

Example sentences from the Web for colligative

British Dictionary definitions for colligative

colligative
/ (kəˈlɪɡətɪv) /

adjective

(of a physical property of a substance) depending on the concentrations of atoms, ions, and molecules that are present rather than on their nature