extractive

comparative more extractive · superlative most extractive

1. That serves to extract something

   Certain branches of industry are conveniently designated extractive: e.g., agriculture, pastoral and mining pursuits, cutting of lumber, etc.

   1874, John Elliott Cairnes, Some Leading Principles of Political Economy, newly Expounded

2. That withdraws natural resources by extraction

   The extractive industry consists of any operations that remove metals, mineral and aggregates from the earth. Examples of extractive processes include oil and gas extraction, mining, dredging and quarrying.

   2014, BusinessDictionary.com

3. Able to be extracted

   Thirty grains of extractive matter.

   1796, Richard Kirwan, The Manures Most Advantageously Applicable to the Various Sorts of Soils

plural extractives

1. Something that may be extracted
2. The substance left behind after something has been extracted