Thesaurus: operative

Related headwords

Definitions

1. a. Having the power of acting; hence, exerting force, physical or moral; active in the production of effects; as, an operative motive.
2. a. Producing the appropriate or designed effect; efficacious; as, an operative dose, rule, or penalty.
3. a. Based upon, or consisting of, an operation or operations; as, operative surgery.
4. n. A skilled worker; an artisan; esp., one who operates a machine in a mill or manufactory.
5. adj. being in force or having or exerting force
6. adj. relating to or requiring or amenable to treatment by surgery especially as opposed to medicine
7. adj. effective; producing a desired effect
8. adj. (of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing
9. n. a person secretly employed in espionage for a government
10. n. someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information and assist in criminal investigations
11. 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. A skilled worker; an artisan; esp., one who operates a machine in a mill or manufactory.
12. Based upon, or consisting of, an operation or operations; as,operative surgery.