Definition

The quality or state of not being additive, meaning that the total effect is not equal to the sum of individual effects.

Example

In certain chemical reactions, nonadditivity can lead to unexpected results that differ from predictions based on individual components.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of the term nonadditivity?

Yeah, I think it means something that can't be added together simply.

Exactly! It's interesting how some things just don't work that way.

Right? It makes you think about how we understand different concepts.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Nonadditivity → It is formed from "non-" (meaning not) and "additivity" (from Latin "addere", meaning to add, combined with the suffix "-ity", which denotes a state or condition). The term refers to the state or condition where the whole is not equal to the sum of its parts, meaning that the individual contributions do not simply add up.

Memory Tip

Think of 'not' ('non-') being combined with 'adding' ('addere') to remember that 'nonadditivity' means the state where things do not simply add up.

Visually Confused Words