adhesive, a. and n.
(ædˈhiːsɪv)
Also 7 adhæsive.
[a. Fr. adhésif, -ive, as if ad. L. *adhæsīvus. See adhesion and -ive.]
A. adj.
1. Having the property of adhering; sticky. adhesive tape, a strip of paper or film coated with adhesive, for fastening packages, etc.
| 1775 Gooch in Phil. Trans. LXV. 374, I apply a circular plaster, moderately adhesive. 1791 E. Darwin Bot. Gard. II. 36 The paste, made by boiling wheat-flour in water, ceases to be adhesive after having been frozen. 1858 H. Miller Cruise of Betsey ii. 258 The Blackpots clay is..so adhesive, that I now felt..as if I had got into a bed of birdlime. 1934 in Webster. 1951 Good Housek. Home Encycl. 28/1 Seal the tin with adhesive tape. |
2. Furnished with an appliance for adhesion. adhesive envelope, one having a gummed flap.
| 1854 Mayhew Lond. Lab. I. 287 The envelopes are sold at from 6d. to 15d. the dozen: the higher-priced being adhesive. |
3. fig. Apt or tending to adhere, cling to, or persevere in.
| 1670 G. H. tr. Hist. Cardinals iii. ii. 262 To render the election of the Pope more tedious, and pernicious, that is, more adhæsive to the World. a 1748 Thomson (J.) If slow, yet sure, adhesive to the track, Hot steaming up. a 1845 Hood Craniol. iv. (1871) 333 What severs man and wife? a simple Defect of the Adhesive pimple. |
B. n. a. [The adj. used absol.] An adhesive substance.
| 1912 Sci. Amer. 17 Aug. 144/3 Gluten, gum arabic, dextrine, are also..used, though their use is mainly that of simple adhesives. 1958 Observer 11 May 10/3 There is no universal adhesive. If the manufacturer claims that the adhesive is good for leather, it probably is. It's no good using it for a teacup handle. |
b. Philately. An adhesive postage stamp (opp. one impressed on a card or wrapper, etc.).
| 1881 Stamp-Collector's Ann. 9 The 5, 20, and 50 pf. adhesives have now followed the example of the 10 pf. 1893 H. Ewen (title) Priced Catalogue of the Used Postage Adhesives of Great Britain. |