operative
UK: ˈɒpərətɪv | US: ˈɑːpərətɪv
adj. 1. Functioning or having effect.
adj. 2. Relating to surgical operations.
n. 3. A worker or skilled employee, especially in a technical field.
n. 4. A secret agent or spy.
operative = oper<work> + ative<adjective suffix>
- oper (from Latin operari, meaning "to work")
- ative (a suffix forming adjectives, indicating "relating to or tending to")
Etymology Origin:
The word operative traces back to Latin operari ("to work"), which also gives us operation and operator. The suffix -ative was adopted from Latin -ativus, used to form adjectives. Originally tied to physical labor (operarius meant "a worker"), the term evolved to include technical, medical, and espionage contexts—reflecting shifts in societal roles and language.
The new policy will become operative next month.
The surgeon ensured all operative tools were sterilized.
She works as an operative in a manufacturing plant.
The intelligence operative completed the mission undetected.
Only the operative clauses of the contract were enforced.