aggregate
ag·gre·gate • n. / ˈagrigit/ 1. a whole formed by combining several (typically disparate) elements: the council was an aggregate of three regional assemblies. ∎ the total number of points scored by a player or team in a series of sporting contests: the result put the sides even on aggregate. 2. a material or structure formed from a loosely compacted mass of fragments or particles. ∎ pieces of broken or crushed stone or gravel used to make concrete, or more generally in construction work.• adj. / ˈagrigit/ formed or calculated by the combination of many separate units or items; total: the aggregate amount of grants made. ∎ Bot. (of a group of species) comprising several very similar species formerly regarded as a single species. ∎ Econ. denoting the total supply or demand for goods and services in an economy at a particular time.• v. / -ˌgāt/ form or group into a class or cluster: [intr.] the butterflies aggregate in dense groups. PHRASES: in (the) aggregate in total; as a whole.DERIVATIVES: ag·gre·ga·tion / ˌagriˈgāshən/ n.ag·gre·ga·tive / -ˌgātiv/ adj.
