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   operative

   /ˈɒp(ə)rətɪv/

   adjective

   • 1. functioning or having effect: "the transmitter is operative" Similar in forcein operationeffectivein effectvalidfunctioningworkingrunningup and runningin operationin usein actiongoingoperationalworkableserviceablefunctionalusablein working order/conditionviableOpposite invalidout of order
   • ▪ (of a word) having the most significance in a phrase or sentence: "I was madly—the operative word—in love" Similar keysignificantrelevantapplicablepertinentappositegermaneaproposcrucialcriticalmainchiefmajorcentralpivotalfundamentalvitalimportantessentialOpposite irrelevant
   • 2. relating to surgery: "wounds needing operative treatment"

   noun

   • 1. a worker, especially one in a manufacturing industry: "the operatives clean the machines at the end of every shift" Similar machinist(machine) operatormechanicengineerdriverworkerworkman(factory) handartisancraftsmancraftswomanblue-collar workermachine minder
   • 2. a secret agent or private detective: North American "a CIA operative" Similar agentsecret agentundercover agentspymoleplantdouble agentcounterspyinformal:spookarchaic:intelligencerarchaic, informal:beagledetectiveprivate detectiveinvestigatorprivate investigatorsleuthshadowenquiry agentinformal:private eyetailinformal, dated:gumshoebogeydick

   Word Origin late Middle English: from late Latin operativus, from Latin operat- ‘done by labour’, from the verb operari (see operate).

   Derivatives

   • 1. operatively adverb
   • 2. operativeness noun

   Scrabble Points: 14

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2. People also ask

   What does operative mean?

   • Get Word of the Day daily email! The meaning of OPERATIVE is producing an appropriate effect : efficacious. How to use operative in a sentence.

   Operative Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

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   How many meanings does the word operative have?

   • There are 12 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word operative, two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. How common is the word operative? How is the word operative pronounced? Where does the word operative come from? operative Etymons: French opératif Latin operativus

   operative, adj. & n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English

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   What does it mean if a system is operative?

   • A system or service that is operative is working or having an effect. The commercial telephone service was no longer operative. An operative is a worker, especially one who does work with their hands. In an automated car plant there is not a human operative to be seen.

   OPERATIVE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

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   What does Operatif mean?

   • Middle English operatif "active, working," borrowed from Late Latin operātīvus, from operātus, past participle of operārī "to work, be efficacious" + Latin -īvus -ive — more at operate derivative of operative entry 1 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a circa 1810, in the meaning defined above “Operative.”

   Operative Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

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3. dictionary.cambridge.org › english › operativeOPERATIVE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

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4. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › operativeOperative Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

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   Learn the meaning of operative as an adjective and a noun, with synonyms, examples, and word history. Find out how to use operative in a sentence and how it relates to other words.

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6. www.dictionary.com › browse › operativeOPERATIVE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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   Operative can be a noun meaning a worker or a spy, or an adjective meaning effective or surgical. Learn more about its origin, usage, and related words.

7. www.collinsdictionary.com › english › operativeOPERATIVE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

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   Learn the meaning and usage of the word operative as an adjective, noun, or phrase. Find out the different meanings of operative in British and American English, and see synonyms and examples from various sources.

8. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › operativeOperative - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › operative

   effective; producing a desired effect. “the operative word”. synonyms: important, significant. important in effect or meaning. adjective. being in force or having or exerting force. “ operative regulations”. “the major tendencies operative in the American political system”.

9. www.thefreedictionary.com › operativeOperative - definition of operative by The Free Dictionary

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   Learn the meaning and usage of the word operative as an adjective and a noun. Find synonyms, related terms, translations, and examples from various sources.

10. www.oed.com › dictionary › operative_adjoperative, adj. & n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford ...

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    Learn the meaning and history of the word operative, which can be an adjective or a noun, in different contexts such as pharmacology, surgery, espionage and grammar. Find out how to pronounce operative and see examples of its usage in sentences.