n.
Pronunciation: i- ' lek-tiv
Function: adjective
Date: circa 1531
1 a : chosen or filled by popular election <an elective official> b : of or relating to election c : based on the right or principle of election <the presidency is an elective office>
2 a : permitting a choice : OPTIONAL <an elective course in school> b : beneficial to the patient but not essential for survival < elective surgery>
3 a : tending to operate on one substance rather than another < elective absorption> b : favorably inclined to one more than to another : SYMPATHETIC <an elective affinity>
– elec · tive · ly adverb
– elec · tive · ness noun