I. i-ˈlek-tiv 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
II. noun
Date: 1850
: an elective course or subject