Adhesive \Ad*he"sive\, a. [Cf. F. adh['e]sif.] 1. Sticky; tenacious, as glutinous substances. 2. Apt or tending to adhere; clinging. --Thomson. {Adhesive attraction}. (Physics) See {Attraction}. {Adhesive inflammation} (Surg.), that kind of inflammation which terminates in the reunion of divided parts without suppuration. {Adhesive plaster}, a sticking; a plaster containing resin, wax, litharge, and olive oil.