adj.
Pronunciation: - ' ä-p( ə -)r ə -tiv, - ' ä-p ə - ˌ r ā -
Function: adjective
Date: circa 1631
: not operative: as a : not functioning <an inoperative clock> b : having no effect or force <an inoperative law>
– in · op · er · a · tive · ness noun