[op-er-uh-tiv, op-ruh-tiv, op-uh-rey-tiv] 
| 1. | a person engaged, employed, or skilled in some branch of work, esp. productive or industrial work; worker. |
| 2. | a detective. |
| 3. | a secret agent; spy. |
| 4. | operating, or exerting force, power, or influence. |
| 5. | having force; being in effect or operation: laws operative in this city. |
| 6. | effective or efficacious. |
| 7. | engaged in, concerned with, or pertaining to work or productive activity. |
| 8. | significant; key: The operative word in that sentence is “sometimes.” |
| 9. | Medicine/Medical. concerned with, involving, or pertaining to surgical operations. |
operative op·er·a·tive (ŏp'ər-ə-tĭv, -ə-rā'tĭv, ŏp'rə-)
adj.
Of, relating to, or resulting from a surgical operation.
Functioning effectively; efficient.
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