adj.
- very thorough or vigorous.
- (of agriculture) aiming to achieve maximum production within a limited area. Often contrasted with extensive.
-
[in combination]
concentrating on or making much use of something:
computer-intensive methods.
- Grammar giving force or emphasis.
- denoting a property measured in terms of intensity rather than extent.
n.
Grammar an intensifier.
Derivative
- intensively adv.
- intensiveness n.
Usage
On the difference between intensive and intense, see usage at intense.
Etymology
ME: from Fr. intensif, -ive or med. L. intensivus, from intendere (see intend).