Pro*ces"sive (?), a.
Proceeding; advancing.
Because it is language, -- ergo, processive.
Coleridge.
<-- (Biochemistry) acting from one end of a polymer, and continuing to act on the same polymer, rather than detaching and re-binding randomly to other molecules. Said of polymerases or hydrolytic enzymes. Opposed to "distributive". Colloquially, (laboratory slang) processive and distributive enzymes may be referred to as "clingers" and "hoppers", respectively. -->
© Webster 1913.