Tending to take for oneself; relating to the act of claiming or taking something as one's own, especially without permission.
From 'appropriate' (from Latin 'ad-' (to) and 'propriare' (to make one's own)) plus '-ive' (tending toward). The adjective form emphasizes the habitual or characteristic nature of claiming ownership.
In art and culture discourse, 'appropriative' has become a hot-button word—'cultural appropriation' uses this root to describe taking artistic elements from other cultures. The word itself is neutral, but the concept it describes involves questions of power and permission.
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