operative
op·era·tive [operative operatives] noun, adjective BrE [ˈɒpərətɪv] NAmE [ˈɑːpərətɪv] NAmE [ˈɑːpəreɪtɪv] noun 1. (technical)a worker, especially one who works with their hands •a factory operative •skilled/unskilled operatives 2. (especially NAmE)a person who does secret work, especially for a government organization •an intelligence operative Word Origin: late Middle English: from late Latin operativus, from Latin operat- ‘done by labour’, from the verb operari, from opus, oper- ‘work’. Example Bank: •Most of the skilled operatives are engaged on fixed contracts. •What is the average wage of a factory operative? Idiom: ↑operative word adjective 1. not usually before noun ready to be used; in use Syn: ↑functional •This law becomes operative immediately. •The station will be fully operative again in January. 2. only before noun (medical)connected with a medical operation •operative treatment see also ↑post-operative Word Origin: late Middle English: from late Latin operativus, from Latin operat- ‘done by labour’, from the verb operari, from opus, oper- ‘work’. Example Bank: •an agreement/an accord/a proposal/a tax/a rule/an amendment/an act becomes operative
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