a. [ad. med.L. fruitīvus, in unio fruitiva (Thomas à Kempis); f. L. fru-ī (see FRUITION).] Consisting of, arising from, or producing fruition or enjoyment; having the faculty or function of enjoying.
1635. Rous, Myst. Marr. (1653), 263. A spiritual conjunction & the excesses of a fruitive union.
1648. Boyle, Seraph. Love, xxvi. (1700), 153–4. To whet our Longings for Fruitive (or experimental) knowledge, it is reserv’d among the Prerogatives of being in Heaven, to know how happy we shall be.
1668. Howe, Bless. Righteous (1825), 77. This vision is fruitive, unites the Soul with the blessed object.
a. 1866. J. Grote, Treat. Mor. Ideals (1876), 293. Utilitarianism … looks upon man as fruitive, or enjoying, in the first instance, and active only in the second instance.
