OPERATIVE

(noun) someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information
synonyms : pi , private detective , private eye , private investigator , shamus , sherlock
(noun) a person secretly employed in espionage for a government
synonyms : intelligence agent , intelligence officer , secret agent
(adj.) being in force or having or exerting force
"operative regulations", "the major tendencies operative in the American political system"
(adj.) relating to or requiring or amenable to treatment by surgery especially as opposed to medicine
"a surgical appendix", "a surgical procedure", "operative dentistry"
synonyms : surgical
(adj.) (of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing
"in running (or working) order", "a functional set of brakes"
synonyms : functional , running , working
(adj.) effective; producing a desired effect
"the operative word"

Account Login

Forgot your password ?

New to Mnemonic Dictionary?