OPERATIVE

operative

(adjective) being in force or having or exerting force; “operative regulations”; “the major tendencies operative in the American political system”

operative, running(a), functional, working

(adjective) (of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing; “in running (or working) order”; “a functional set of brakes”

surgical, operative

(adjective) relating to or requiring or amenable to treatment by surgery especially as opposed to medicine; “a surgical appendix”; “a surgical procedure”; “operative dentistry”

operative

(adjective) effective; producing a desired effect; “the operative word”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Adjective

operative (comparative more operative, superlative most operative)

Effectual or important.

Functional, in working order.

Having the power of acting; hence, exerting force, physical or moral; active in the production of effects.

Producing the appropriate or designed effect; efficacious.

Based upon, or consisting of, a surgical operation or operations.

Noun

operative (plural operatives)

An employee or other worker with some particular function or skill.

A spy, secret agent, or detective.

A participant in an operation.

Anagrams

• evaporite

Source: Wiktionary


Op"er*a*tive, a. Etym: [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. It holds in all operative principles. South.

2. Producing the appropriate or designed effect; efficacious; as, an operative dose, rule, or penalty.

3. (Surg.)

Definition: Based upon, or consisting of, an operation or operations; as, operative surgery.

Op"er*a*tive, n.

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

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

6 June 2025

PUNGENCY

(noun) wit having a sharp and caustic quality; “he commented with typical pungency”; “the bite of satire”


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Coffee Trivia

Coffee starts as a yellow berry, changes into a red berry, and then is picked by hand to harvest. The red berry is de-shelled through a water soaking process and what’s left inside is the green coffee bean. This bean then dries in the sun for 3-5 days, where it is then packed and ready for sale.

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