Definition:
- (a.) Having the power of acting; hence, exerting force, physical or moral; active in the production of effects; as, an operative motive.
- (a.) Producing the appropriate or designed effect; efficacious; as, an operative dose, rule, or penalty.
- (a.) Based upon, or consisting of, an operation or operations; as, operative surgery.
- (n.) A skilled worker; an artisan; esp., one who operates a machine in a mill or manufactory.
Compare operative with other words:
configured vs. operative
operative vs. working
informant vs. operative
operative vs. operatively
operable vs. operative
detective vs. operative
operative vs. spy
operative vs. skill
function vs. operative
operative vs. worker
employee vs. operative
operand vs. operative
operant vs. operative
important vs. operative
operational vs. operative
operate vs. operative
effective vs. operative
inure vs. operative
opera vs. operative
active vs. operative
operative vs. operator
operation vs. operative
abolish vs. operative
head vs. operative