OPERATIVE


Meaning of OPERATIVE in English

I. op ‧ e ‧ ra ‧ tive 1 /ˈɒp ə rətɪv $ ˈɑːp ə rə-, ˈɑːpəreɪ-/ BrE AmE adjective

[ Word Family: noun : ↑ operation , ↑ cooperation , ↑ operative , ↑ cooperative , ↑ operator ; adjective : ↑ operational , ↑ operative , ↑ cooperative ≠ ↑ uncooperative ; verb : ↑ operate , ↑ cooperate ; adverb : ↑ operationally , ↑ cooperatively ]

1 . working and able to be used OPP inoperative :

Only one runway is operative.

the steps to be taken before the scheme can become operative

⇨ ↑ operational (1)

2 . the operative word used when you repeat a word from a previous sentence to draw attention to its importance:

The new system offers fast solutions. Fast being the operative word.

3 . relating to a medical operation:

patients undergoing operative procedures

II. operative 2 BrE AmE noun [countable]

[ Word Family: noun : ↑ operation , ↑ cooperation , ↑ operative , ↑ cooperative , ↑ operator ; adjective : ↑ operational , ↑ operative , ↑ cooperative ≠ ↑ uncooperative ; verb : ↑ operate , ↑ cooperate ; adverb : ↑ operationally , ↑ cooperatively ]

1 . a worker, especially a factory worker – used in business:

the company’s overseas operatives

2 . someone who does work that is secret in some way, especially for a government organization

CIA/FBI/intelligence etc operatives

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.      Longman - Словарь современного английского языка.