invasive

in·va·sive  (n-vsv)

adj.

1. Of, engaging in, or given to armed aggression: an invasive military force.

2. Marked by the tendency to spread, especially into healthy tissue: an invasive carcinoma.

3. Of or relating to a medical procedure in which a part of the body is entered, as by puncture or incision.

4. Tending to intrude or encroach, as upon privacy.

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[Middle English, from Old French invasif, from Medieval Latin invsvus, from Latin invsus, past participle of invdere, to invade; see invade.]

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in·vasive·ly adv.

in·vasive·ness n.

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invasive  (n-vsv)

1.

a. Relating to a disease or condition that has a tendency to spread, especially a malignant cancer that spreads into healthy tissue.

b. Relating to a medical procedure in which a part of the body is entered, as by puncture or incision.

2. Not native to and tending to spread widely in a habitat or environment. Invasive species often have few natural predators or other biological controls in their new environment. Although not always considered harmful to an environment, invasive species can become agricultural or ecological pests and can displace native species from their habitats. Invasive species are often introduced to an environment unintentionally, as the zebra mussel was to the Great Lakes, but are sometimes introduced for a purpose, as kudzu was to the southern US, where it was originally planted to control erosion.

Thesaurus

Adj.	1.	invasive - relating to a technique in which the body is entered by puncture or incision medical specialty, medicine - the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques noninvasive - relating to a technique that does not involve puncturing the skin or entering a body cavity
	2.	invasive - marked by a tendency to spread especially into healthy tissue; "invasive cancer cells" confined - not invading healthy tissue
	3.	invasive - involving invasion or aggressive attack; "invasive war" incursive, invading offensive - for the purpose of attack rather than defense; "offensive weapons"
	4.	invasive - gradually intrusive without right or permission; "we moved back from the encroaching tide"; "invasive tourists"; "trespassing hunters" encroaching, trespassing intrusive - tending to intrude (especially upon privacy); "she felt her presence there was intrusive"