operative Meaning and Definition

1. a. being in force or having or exerting force

2. a. relating to or requiring or amenable to treatment by surgery especially as opposed to medicine

3. a. of or relating to a surgical operation

4. n. someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information

5. n. a person secretly employed in espionage for a government

6. s. (of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing

7. s. effective; producing a desired effect