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elective

 - 4 dictionary results

e⋅lec⋅tive

[i-lek-tiv]
–adjective
1. pertaining to the principle of electing to an office, position, etc.
2. chosen by election, as an official.
3. bestowed by or derived from election, as an office.
4. having the power or right of electing to office, as a body of persons.
5. open to choice; optional; not required: an elective subject in college; elective surgery.
6. Chemistry. selecting for combination or action; tending to combine with certain substances in preference to others: elective attraction.
–noun
7. an optional study; a course that a student may select from among alternatives.

Origin:
1520–30; < ML ēlēctīvus, equiv. to L ēlēct(us) (see elect ) + -īvus -ive


e⋅lec⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
e⋅lec⋅tive⋅ness, noun


5. voluntary, discretionary.


5. required, obligatory, necessary.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To elective
e·lec·tive   (ĭ-lěk'tĭv)   
adj.  
  1. Of or relating to a selection by vote.

  2. Filled or obtained by election: elective office.

  3. Having the power or authority to elect; electoral.

  4. Permitting or involving a choice; optional: elective surgery.

n.  An optional academic course or subject.
e·lec'tive·ly adv., e·lec'tive·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: elec·tive
Function: adjective
1 a : chosen by popular election elective official> b : of or relating to election c : based on the right or principle of election elective office>
2 a : permitting a choice —compare COMPULSORY b : available as a choice <elective insurance coverage> c : beneficial to the patient but not essential for survival <elective surgery>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: elec·tive
Pronunciation: i-'lek-tiv
Function: adjective
: beneficial to the patient but not essential for survival electiveappendectomy>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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