operative

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English operative, operatyfe, from Middle French operatif (modern French opératif) or its etymon Latin operātīvus. By surface analysis, operate +‎ -ive. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈɒpəɹətɪv/, (colloquial) /ˈɒpɹətɪv/ (General American, dialects of Canada) IPA(key): /ˈɑpəɹətɪv/, (colloquial) /ˈɑpɹətɪv/ (Canada, dialects of the US) IPA(key): /ˈɒpəɹətɪv/, (colloquial) /ˈɒpɹətɪv/ === 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. [from 18th c.] ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === 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. ==== Translations ==== === References === James A. H. Murray et al., editors (1884–1928), “Operative”, in A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles (Oxford English Dictionary), volume VII (O–P), London: Clarendon Press, →OCLC, page 145, column 2. === Anagrams === evaporite == German == === Pronunciation === IPA(key): [opəʁaˈtiːvə], [ɔpəʁaˈtiːvə] === Adjective === operative inflection of operativ: strong/mixed nominative/accusative feminine singular strong nominative/accusative plural weak nominative all-gender singular weak accusative feminine/neuter singular == Italian == === Adjective === operative feminine plural of operativo === Anagrams === evaporite, operatevi == Latin == === Adjective === operātīve vocative masculine singular of operātīvus == Norwegian Bokmål == === Adjective === operative inflection of operativ: definite singular plural == Norwegian Nynorsk == === Adjective === operative inflection of operativ: definite singular plural == Swedish == === Adjective === operative definite natural masculine singular of operativ