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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Productive


PRODUC'TIVE, adjective

1. Having the power of producing; as, productive labor is that which increases the number or amount of products; opposed to unproductive labor. The labor of the farmer and mechanic is productive; the labor of officers and professional men is unproductive to the state. A tree which bears fruit, and the land which bears grass or grain, is productive

2. Fertile; producing good crops. We often denote by this word that land or plants yield large products.

3. Producing; bringing into being; causing to exist; efficient; as an age productive of great men; a spirit productive of heroic achievements.

This is turning nobility into a principle of virtue, and making it productive of merit.

And kindle with thy own productive fire.