adj. 1. a. Consisting of or making up a large mass; bulky, heavy, and solid: a massive piece of furniture. See Synonyms at heavy. b. Physics Having relatively high mass: a massive particle. 2. a. Large or imposing, as in quantity, scope, degree, intensity, or scale: "Local defense must be reinforced by the further deterrent of massive retaliatory power" (John Foster Dulles). b. Large in comparison with the usual amount: a massive dose of a drug. c. Affecting a large area of bodily tissue; widespread and severe: massive gangrene. 3. a. Mineralogy Lacking internal crystalline structure; amorphous. b. Geology Without internal structure or layers and homogeneous in composition. Used of a rock. massive·ly adv. massive·ness n. |
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