consumptive

• IPA^(key): /kənˈsʌmptɪv/

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consumptive (comparative more consumptive, superlative most consumptive)

1. Having a tendency to consume; dissipating; destructive; wasteful.
   • 1708, Joseph Addison, The Present State of the War, and the Necessity of an Augmentation:

     a long consumptive war

   • 1753, [Tobias Smollett], “Count Fathom Unmasks His Battery; is Repulsed; and Varies His Operations without Effect”, in The Adventures of Ferdinand Count Fathom. […], volume II, London: […] W. Johnston, […], →OCLC, pages 107–108:

     [O]n ſome occaſions, he diſplayed all his fund of good humour, vvith a vievv to beguile her ſorrovv; he importuned her to give him the pleasure of ’ſquiring her to ſome place of innocent entertainment; and, finally, inſiſted upon her accepting a pecuniary reinforcement to her finances, vvhich he knevv to be in a moſt conſumptive condition.

2. Of, or relating to consumption.
3. (pathology) Relating to pulmonary tuberculosis.

   consumptive cough

   • a. 1701 (date written), John Dryden, “The Latter Part of the Fourth Book of Lucretius; Concerning the Nature of Love”, in The Miscellaneous Works of John Dryden, […], volume II, London: […] J[acob] and R[ichard] Tonson, […], published 1760, →OCLC, page 457:

     The lean, conſumptive, wench, with coughs decay'd, / Is call'd a pretty, tight, and ſlender maid.

• nonconsumptive

consumptive (plural consumptives)

1. A person suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis.
   • 2002, Michel Faber, The Crimson Petal and the White, Canongate Books (2010), page 426:

     The consumptive has managed to shake the servant from her side and walks alone, striving to make it look easy.