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Webster 1913 Edition

Operative

Op′er-a-tive

,
Adj.
[Cf.L.
operativus
, F.
opératif
.]
1.
Having the power of acting; hence, exerting force, physical or moral; active in the production of effects;
as, an
operative
motive;
operative
laws
.
It holds in all
operative
principles.
South.
2.
Producing the appropriate or designed effect; efficacious; effective;
as, an
operative
dose, rule, or penalty
.
3.
(Surg.)
Based upon, or consisting of, an operation or operations;
as,
operative
surgery
.

Op′er-a-tive

,
Noun.
1.
A skilled worker; an artisan; esp., one who operates a machine in a mill or manufactory.

Webster 1828 Edition

Operative

OP'ERATIVE

,
Adj.
1.
Having the power of acting; exerting force, physical or moral; having or exerting agency; active in the production of effects.
In actions of religion we should be zealous, active and operative, so far as prudence will permit.
It holds in all operative principles, especially in morality.
2.
Efficacious; producing the effect.

Definition 2024

operative

operative

See also: opérative

English

Adjective

operative ‎(comparative more operative, superlative most operative)

  1. Effectual or important.
    He's usually in a good mood — the operative word there being "usually". Today was a disaster.
  2. Functional, in working order.
  3. Having the power of acting; hence, exerting force, physical or moral; active in the production of effects.
    an operative motive
    • South
      It holds in all operative principles.
  4. Producing the appropriate or designed effect; efficacious.
    an operative dose, rule, or penalty
  5. Based upon, or consisting of, a surgical operation or operations.
    operative surgery

Related terms

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

operative ‎(plural operatives)

  1. An employee or other worker with some particular function or skill.
  2. A spy, secret agent, or detective.
  3. A participant in an operation.

Translations

Anagrams

German

Adjective

operative

  1. inflected form of operativ

Italian

Adjective

operative

  1. feminine plural of operativo

Anagrams

Latin

Adjective

operātīve

  1. vocative masculine singular of operātīvus

Swedish

Adjective

operative

  1. absolute definite natural masculine form of operativ.

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