adj. & n.
adj. 1 a (of an office or its holder) filled or appointed by election. b (of authority) derived from election. 2 (of a body) having the power to elect. 3 having a tendency to act on or be concerned with some things rather than others (elective affinity). 4 (of a course of study) chosen by the student; optional. 5 (of a surgical operation etc.) optional; not urgently necessary.
n. US an elective course of study. electively adv.
[ F électif -ive f. LL electivus (as ELECT) ]