ENGLISH
REFERENCE

aggregate

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //ˈæɡɹəɡeɪt// ag·gre·gate Academic Archaic

n. a total amount made by adding several different parts together. You use this when looking at the big picture rather than individual pieces.

n. a whole formed by combining several separate elements. Often used in statistical or technical contexts to describe a collective sum or total.


SIMPLE

The score is a calculated aggregate of three different tests.

CONTEXTUAL

The researchers analyzed the aggregate of all survey responses to identify broad social trends across the country.

COMPLEX

While individual data points may appear erratic, the aggregate reveals a consistent upward trajectory in consumer spending over the last fiscal quarter.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English aggregat(e) (“a sum, unit, complex, aggregate”), borrowed from New Latin aggregātum (“an aggregate”), substantivized from the nominative neuter singular of aggregātus, the perfect passive participle of aggregō (“to flock together”), from ad- (“at, to, toward”)) + gregō (“to flock or group”), from grex (“flock”, greg- in compounds) + -ō (verb-forming suffix). See also egregious and gregarious.

Etymology 2

From Middle English aggregat(e) (“aggregated”, used as the past participle of aggregaten), see -ate (adjective-forming suffix) and Etymology 1 for more.

Etymology 3

From Middle English aggregaten (“to aggregate”), from its earlier borrowed past participle aggregat(e) + -en (verb-forming suffix), from Latin aggregātus, see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and Etymology 1 for more.

Usage

Often used in the prepositional phrase 'in the aggregate' to mean 'as a whole'.

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