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.
Derivatives:
electively adv.
Etymology: F {eacute}lectif -ive f. LL electivus (as ELECT)