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Cumulatively Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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cumulatively

[ˈkjuːmjʊlətɪvli ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adverb

general usage

Cumulatively refers to a situation where things are considered together as a total rather than individually. It often relates to the progressive increase of a particular quantity or effect over time. In statistics, it denotes the accumulation of data points to make conclusions. The term is frequently used in contexts like finance, demographics, and environmental studies, indicating total sums or effects from multiple sources.

Synonyms

additively, aggregately, collectively, jointly.

Examples of usage

  • The particles accumulated cumulatively over the years.
  • Cumulatively, our profits have doubled since last quarter.
  • The cumulative effects of the policies can be seen in the community.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Mathematics

  • In statistics, cumulative frequency refers to the sum of the frequencies for all values up to a certain point.
  • Cumulative distributions can describe probabilities, showing how a variable adds up to a total over a range.
  • In finance, cumulative returns measure the total change in the investment's value over time, factoring in all gains and losses.

Environmental Studies

  • Cumulative impact assessments are vital in environmental science, evaluating how small individual changes can affect ecosystems over time.
  • Climate change discussions often focus on cumulative emissions, stressing the importance of total greenhouse gases released over the years.
  • Wildlife conservation often involves assessing cumulative habitat loss and its effects on species populations.

Psychology

  • Cumulative experiences shape our behaviors and attitudes, suggesting all past encounters play a role in our present actions.
  • The theory of cumulative stress indicates that small, non-threatening stressors can lead to significant emotional and psychological impacts over time.
  • Learning practices that build on cumulative knowledge help students retain information better by reinforcing concepts gradually.

Literature

  • Cumulative storytelling builds layers, where each part adds depth to the narrative, often used in children's literature for engaging tales.
  • In poetry, cumulative structures can create rhythm and enhance meaning by stacking phrases in a repeating format.
  • Classic literature, such as epics, often uses a cumulative style to build tension and develop characters through recurrent themes.

Origin of 'cumulatively'

Main points about word origin

  • 'Cumulatively' comes from the Latin word 'cumulare', meaning 'to heap up' or 'accumulate'.
  • The term began appearing in English in the 17th century, reflecting the growing complexity of mathematics and science.
  • Its use in English expanded significantly during the 20th century with the rise of statistics and cumulative data analysis.

The word 'cumulative' derives from the Latin word 'cumulatus', which means 'piled up' or 'heaped up'. 'Cumulatus' itself comes from the verb 'cumulari', meaning 'to heap together'. This root reflects the concept of accumulation inherent in the word. The term entered the English language in the late 15th century, initially used in various scientific and philosophical contexts to describe the process of aggregation and increase. Over time, 'cumulative' has become a common descriptor in statistics, finance, and environmental science, particularly in discussing accumulated data, effects, or trends. Its use has expanded in modern language to include various contexts where aggregation is emphasized.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,274, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.