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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