invasive

Etymology

PIE word *h₁én The adjective is derived from Middle English invasif (“of a weapon: offensive”), from Middle French invasif, Old French invasif (“invasive”) (modern French invasif), from Medieval Latin invāsīvus, from Latin invāsus (“entered; invaded”) + -īvus (suffix forming adjectives). Invāsus is the perfect passive participle of invādō (“to enter; to invade”), from in- (prefix meaning ‘in, inside’) + vādō (“to go; to rush; to walk”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *weh₂dʰ- (“to go, proceed; to pass, traverse”)). The noun is derived from the adjective.

adj

1. Of or pertaining to invasion; offensive.
   [T]he Sheriffe, or any of his Officers, for the better execution of Juſtice, may carry handguns or other weapons invaſive or defenſive, […] 1650, Edward Coke, “St. Johns Case. 34. El. Banco Regis. fol. 71.”, in Thomas Ireland, compiler, An Exact Abridgment in English, of the Eleven Books of Reports of the Learned Sir Edward Coke,[…], London: […] M. Simmons, for Matthew Walbancke,[…], and H. Twyford[…], →OCLC, book V, page 209
2. (military">military, also figurative) That invades a foreign country using military">military force; also, militarily aggressive.
3. (by extension)
   1. Intrusive on one's privacy, rights, sphere of activity, etc.
      It's wrong of me to ask such an invasive question when I keep so many secrets hidden from you. 2008 October, Leanne Smith, chapter 21, in Silent Mysteries: Discover the Mystery of Kara …, Chepachet, R.I.: Leanne Elise Smith, page 396
   2. Originating externally.
      All invasive moral states and passionate enthusiasms make one feelingless to evil in some direction. 1902, William James, “Lectures IV and V: The Religion of Healthy-mindedness”, in The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature:[…], New York, N.Y.: Longmas, Green, and Co.[…], →OCLC, page 90
   3. (biology) Of an animal or plant: that grows (especially uncontrollably) in environments which do not harbour natural enemies, often to the detriment of native species or of food or garden flora and fauna.
      an invasive species
   4. (medicine, surgery) Of a procedure: involving the entry of an instrument into part of the body.
      The natural evolution of minimally invasive surgery has taken the surgeon to new heights and has extended the breadth of laparoscopic surgery to include procedures of the colon. 1995, Constantine T. Frantzides, Laparoscopic and Thoracoscopic Surgery, St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby, page 135
   5. (pathology) Of a carcinoma or other abnormal growth: that invades healthy tissue, especially rapidly.
      Two patients developed cancer in the upper urinary tract, and 3 eventually developed invasive cancer. 1982, William W. Bonney, George R. Prout, Jr., editors, Bladder Cancer: American Urological Association Seminar on Bladder Cancer, Chicago, Illinois, April 1980 (AUA Monographs; 1), Baltimore, Md.: Williams & Wilkins, page 162

noun

1. (biology) An invasive organism, such as an animal or plant.
   Is there ever a time to plant invasives—plants that are known to spread—in the garden? I believe the answer is a qualified "yes." There is never a time to plant exotic, that is non-native, invasives. Exotic invasives such as pampas grass and French and Scottish broom were sold by local nurseries in the past, before their destructive nature was understood. […] Native invasive plants are another story: there are situations in which they can be both practical and desirable. 2005, Barbara J. Euser, “A Place for Invasives?”, in Barbara J. Euser, editor, Bay Area Gardening: 64 Practical Essays by Master Gardeners, Palo Alto, Calif.: Solas House, Travelers’ Tales, page 174