obliterative

Adjective

obliterative (comparative more obliterative, superlative most obliterative)

1. Tending or serving to obliterate.
   • The obliterative stage is a natural process of erasing old facts, which frees the mind for new things.1977, Samuel N. Postlethwait, Exploring Teaching Alternatives, page 10
   • Applying conventional obliterative paint over graffiti is undesirable for several reasons.1992, M. J. Whitford, Getting Rid of Graffiti, page 108
2. Tending or serving to hide or deny.
   • This is undoubtedly true as a statement of the coloration, but whether this coloration is in fact obliterative needs further investigation. Of course if it is obliterative, then its use is to conceal the mammals.1910, Theodore Roosevelt, African game trails, page 557
   • The obliterative method of reaction seemed to be the most personally satisfying reaction, since more in this group had adequate social adjustments, and derived pleasure from their activities.1942, Carney Landis, Mary Marjorie Bolles, Personality and Sexuality of the Physically Handicapped Woman, page 88
3. Causing a passageway to become completely closed off.
   • In the case of true obliterative appendicitis, however, the opposed surfaces of the lumen have become firmly united to each other, and the obliterating band is absolutely impervious.1900, John Blair Deaver, A Treatise on Appendicitis, page 89
   • In the 37 cases of deep gangrene observed at Mayo General Hospital, as in other similar cases, the process differed from the gangrene observed in thromboangiitis obliterans, arteriosclerosis, and other obliterative vascular diseases , chiefly because the reduction in the circulation of the foot...1958, United States. Army Medical Service, The Medical Department of the United States Army in World War II., page 300