Dictionary
1operative
adjective op·er·a·tive \ˈä-p(ə-)rə-tiv, ˈä-pə-ˌrā-\
: ready for use : capable of being used
: most important
Full Definition of OPERATIVE
1
a : producing an appropriate effect : efficacious b : most significant or essential <the operative word in a phrase>
2
: exerting force or influence : operating
3
a : having to do with physical operations (as of machines) b : working <an operative craftsman>
4
: based on or consisting of an operation <operative dentistry>
— op·er·a·tive·ly adverb
— op·er·a·tive·ness noun
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First Known Use of OPERATIVE
15th century
Related to OPERATIVE
- Synonyms
- alive, functional, functioning, going, live, living, on, operating, operational, active, running, working
- Antonyms
- broken, dead, inactive, inoperative, kaput (also kaputt), nonactivated, nonfunctional, nonfunctioning, nonoperating, nonoperational, nonoperative
2operative
noun
: a person who does secret work for a government or political organization
: a person who does work that involves using tools, operating machinery, etc.
Full Definition of OPERATIVE
: operator: as a : artisan, mechanic b : a secret agent c : private detective d : a person who works toward achieving the objectives of a larger interest <political operatives>
See operative defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of OPERATIVE
circa 1810
Related to OPERATIVE
- Synonyms
- agent, asset, emissary, intelligencer, mole, spy, spook, undercover
Rhymes with OPERATIVE
aggregative, agitative, applicative, carminative, circulative, cogitative, combinative, commutative, connotative, consecrative, consultative, contemplative, copulative, corporative, denotative, dissipative, duplicative, educative, facultative, federative, generative, germinative, gravitative, imitative, implicative, innovative, instigative, integrative, irritative, iterative, legislative, limitative, meditative, meliorative, motivative, nominative, nuncupative, palliative, penetrative, procreative, propagative, qualitative, quantitative, recreative, regulative, replicative, separative, terminative, vegetative
Medical Dictionary
operative
adjective op·er·a·tive \ˈäp-(ə-)rət-iv, ˈäp-ə-ˌrāt-\
Medical Definition of OPERATIVE
: of, relating to, involving, or resulting from an operation <operative treatment> <operative mortality rates>
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