massive

views updated May 17 2018

mas·sive / ˈmasiv/ • adj. 1. large and heavy or solid: a massive rampart of stone.2. exceptionally large: massive crowds are expected. ∎  very intense or severe: a massive heart attack. ∎ inf. particularly successful or influential: the title song became a massive hit.3. Geol. (of rocks or beds) having no discernible form or structure. ∎  (of a mineral) not visibly crystalline.DERIVATIVES: mas·sive·ly adv. a massively complicated network. mas·sive·ness n.

massive

views updated May 08 2018

massive Lacking in any form or structure, e.g. massive beds are those without internal grading (see GRADE), and lacking sedimentary structures. Applied to a compact mineral which has no distinguishing crystal form.

massive

views updated May 23 2018

massive XV. — F. massif, fem. -ive, alt. of OF. massiz :- pop. L. *massīceus, f. massa MASS2; see -IVE. Finally repl. (arch.) massy XIV, perh. orig. — OF. massiz, with later assim. to -Y1.