operative

Meanings

Adjective

• Effectual or important.
• Functional, in working order.
• Having the power of acting; hence, exerting force, physical or moral; active in the production of effects.
• Producing the appropriate or designed effect; efficacious.
• Based upon, or consisting of, a surgical operation or operations.

Noun

• An employee or other worker with some particular function or skill.
• A spy, secret agent, or detective.
• A participant in an operation.

Origin

• From Middle French operatif (modern French opératif).