a. [f. L. combūst- (see above) + -IVE.]
† 1. Med. Pertaining to a ‘combustion’ or burn.
1599. A. M., trans. Gabelhouer’s Bk. Physicke, 332. To make an excellent combustive oyntment. Take Lintseede oyle and oaten meale.
† 2. Having the quality of causing combustion.
1653. Gauden, Hierasp., 20. Their beams and influences begin to grow malign, fiery and combustive.
1662. J. Chandler, Van Helmont’s Oriat., 146. The light of the Sun is combustive or burning up.
1824. Coleridge, Rem. (1836), II. 411. Salt, sulphur, and mercury are equivalent to the combustive, the combustible, and the combust.
3. Pertaining to or characterized by combustion.
1858. Greener, Gunnery, 45. Gases, at the instant of their combustive formation.
1880. Mrs. C. Reade, Brown Hand & White, III. i. 24. A crackling noise … suggestive of combustive lucifers.
