Definition of Operative

1. Adjective. Being in force or having or exerting force. "The major tendencies operative in the American political system"


2. Noun. A person secretly employed in espionage for a government.

3. Adjective. Relating to or requiring or amenable to treatment by surgery especially as opposed to medicine. "Operative dentistry"
Exact synonyms: Surgical
Similar to: Preoperative, Postoperative
Derivative terms: Operate, Operation, Surgery, Surgery
Antonyms: Medical

4. Noun. Someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information.

5. Adjective. Effective; producing a desired effect. "The operative word"
Similar to: Important, Significant

6. Adjective. (of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing. "A functional set of brakes"
Exact synonyms: Functional, Running, Working
Similar to: Functioning
Derivative terms: Functionality, Operate, Operate

Definition of Operative

1. a. Having the power of acting; hence, exerting force, physical or moral; active in the production of effects; as, an operative motive.

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

Definition of Operative

1. Adjective. Effectual or important. ¹

2. Adjective. Functional, in working order. ¹

3. Noun. An employee or other worker with some particular function or skill. ¹

4. Noun. A spy, secret agent, or detective. ¹

5. Noun. A participant of an operation. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Operative

1. [n -S]

Medical Definition of Operative

1. 1. Having the power of acting; hence, exerting force, physical or moral; active in the production of effects; as, an operative motive. "It holds in all operative principles." (South) 2. Producing the appropriate or designed effect; efficacious; as, an operative dose, rule, or penalty. 3. Based upon, or consisting of, an operation or operations; as, operative surgery. Origin: Cf.L. Operativus, F. Operatif. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Operative

operationalizability
operationalizable
operationalization
operationalizations
operationalize
operationalized
operationalizes
operationalizing
operationally
operationism
operationisms
operationist
operationists
operations
operations research
operative (current term)
operative dentistry
operative field
operative myxoedema
operatively
operativeness
operativenesses
operatives
operator
operator gene
operator region
operatorial
operatories
operatorless
operators

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