invasive

adj

1. Of or pertaining to invasion; offensive.

   “The Spanyards called their invaſive fleete againſt England the Navie Invincible, yet it was overcome.”

   “Oh inglorious league: / Shall we vpon the footing of our land, / Send fayre-play-orders, and make comprimiſe, / Inſinuation, parley, and baſe truce / To Armes Inuaſiue?”

   “[…] The Parliaments Forces, neither would, nor lawfully might in point of Law or Conſcience forcibly reſiſt or repulſe their invaſive Armes, without danger or High Treaſon and Rebellion, […]”

   “[T]he Sheriffe, or any of his Officers, for the better execution of Juſtice, may carry handguns or other weapons invaſive or defenſive, […]”

2. (also, figuratively)That invades a foreign country using military force; also, militarily aggressive.

   “He managed to get back Lorraine; made truce with the Hungarians, who were excessively invasive at that time. Truce with the Hungarians; and then, having gathered strength, made dreadful beating of them; two beatings,—one to each half, for the invasive Savagery had split itself, for better chance of plunder; […]”

3. (broadly)Intrusive on one's privacy, rights, sphere of activity, etc.

   “It's wrong of me to ask such an invasive question when I keep so many secrets hidden from you.”

4. (broadly)Originating externally.

   “All invasive moral states and passionate enthusiasms make one feelingless to evil in some direction.”

5. (broadly)Of an animal or plant: that grows (especially uncontrollably) in environments which do not harbour natural enemies, often to the detriment of native species or of food or garden flora and fauna.

   “an invasive species”

6. (broadly)Of a procedure: involving the entry of an instrument into part of the body.

   “The natural evolution of minimally invasive surgery has taken the surgeon to new heights and has extended the breadth of laparoscopic surgery to include procedures of the colon.”

7. (broadly)Of a carcinoma or other abnormal growth: that invades healthy tissue, especially rapidly.

   “Two patients developed cancer in the upper urinary tract, and 3 eventually developed invasive cancer.”

noun

1. An invasive organism, such as an animal or plant.

   “Is there ever a time to plant invasives—plants that are known to spread—in the garden? I believe the answer is a qualified "yes." There is never a time to plant exotic, that is non-native, invasives. Exotic invasives such as pampas grass and French and Scottish broom were sold by local nurseries in the past, before their destructive nature was understood. […] Native invasive plants are another story: there are situations in which they can be both practical and desirable.”