Meaning

noun a modifier that has little meaning except to intensify the meaning it modifies

adjective characterized by a high degree or intensity; often used as a combining form

adjective tending to give force or emphasis

originThe adjective is derived from Late Middle English intensive (“fervent, great, intense”), borrowed from Old French intensif, intensive (modern French intensif) + Middle English -ive (suffix meaning ‘of the nature of, relating to’ forming adjectives), equivalent to intense + -ive. Intensif is from Medieval Latin intēnsīvus, from Latin intēnsus (“attentive; eager, intent; intensive”) + -īvus (suffix…

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0