Found 2 items, similar to operative.
English → English (WordNet) Definition: operative operative n 1: a person secretly employed in espionage for a government [syn: secret agent, intelligence officer, intelligence agent ] 2: someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information [syn: private detective, PI, private eye, private investigator, shamus, sherlock] operative adj 1: being in force or having or exerting force; “operative regulations”; “the major tendencies operative in the American political system” [ant: inoperative] 2: of or relating to a surgical operation; “operative surgery” 3: relating to or requiring or amenable to treatment by surgery especially as opposed to medicine; “a surgical appendix”; “a surgical procedure”; “operative dentistry” [syn: surgical] [ant: medical] 4: effective; producing a desired effect; “the operative word” [syn: key] 5: (of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing; “in running (or working) order”; “a functional set of brakes” [syn: running(a), functional, working(a)]
English → English (gcide) Definition: Operative Operative \Op"er*a*tive\, n. 1. A skilled worker; an artisan; esp., one who operates a machine in a mill or manufactory. [1913 Webster] 2. One who acts as an agent of another, especially a detective or spy. [PJC] Operative \Op"er*a*tive\, a. [Cf.L. operativus, F. op['e]ratif.] 1. Having the power of acting; hence, exerting force, physical or moral; active in the production of effects; as, an operative motive; operative laws. [1913 Webster] It holds in all operative principles. --South. [1913 Webster] 2. Producing the appropriate or designed effect; efficacious; effective; as, an operative dose, rule, or penalty. [1913 Webster] 3. (Surg.) Based upon, or consisting of, an operation or operations; as, operative surgery. [1913 Webster]