operative Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a person secretly employed in espionage for a government
    intelligence agent; secret agent; intelligence officer.
  2. noun someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information
    private investigator; private eye; private detective; sherlock; shamus; PI.
  3. adjective being in force or having or exerting force
    • operative regulations
    • the major tendencies operative in the American political system
  4. adjective relating to or requiring or amenable to treatment by surgery especially as opposed to medicine
    surgical.
    • a surgical appendix
    • a surgical procedure
    • operative dentistry
  5. adjective satellite effective; producing a desired effect
    • the operative word
  6. adjective satellite (of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing
    running; working; functional.
    • in running (or working) order
    • a functional set of brakes

WordNet

Op"er*a*tive adjective
Etymology
Cf.L. operativus, F. opératif.
Definitions
  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. (Surg.) Based upon, or consisting of, an operation or operations; as, operative surgery.
Op"er*a*tive noun
Definitions
  1. A skilled worker; an artisan; esp., one who operates a machine in a mill or manufactory.

Webster 1913