operative
[op-er-uh-tiv, op-ruh-tiv, op-uh-rey-tiv]
- a person engaged, employed, or skilled in some branch of work, especially productive or industrial work; worker.
- a detective.
- a secret agent; spy.
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- operating, or exerting force, power, or influence.
- having force; being in effect or operation: laws operative in this city.
- effective or efficacious.
- engaged in, concerned with, or pertaining to work or productive activity.
- significant; key: The operative word in that sentence is “sometimes.”
- Medicine/Medical. concerned with, involving, or pertaining to surgical operations.
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Origin of operative
Synonyms for operative
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for interoperative
Historical Examples of interoperative
This is a world of progressive decentralization and interoperative possibilities.
The Civilization of IlliteracyMihai Nadin
operative
- in force, effect, or operation
- exerting force or influence
- producing a desired effect; significantthe operative word
- of or relating to a surgical procedure
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- a worker, esp one with a special skill
- US a private detective
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for interoperative
operative
"worker, operator," 1809, from operative (adj.); sense of "secret agent, spy" is first attested 1930, probably from its use by the Pinkerton Detective Agency as a title for their private detectives (1905).
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operative
"producing the intended effect," early 15c., from Old French operatif (14c.) or directly from Late Latin operativus "creative, formative," from operat-, past participle stem of operari (see operation). Weakened sense of "significant, important" is from 1955.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
operative
(ŏp′ər-ə-tĭv, -ə-rā′tĭv, ŏp′rə-)- Of, relating to, or resulting from a surgical operation.
- Functioning effectively; efficient.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.