definition of
operative

[1] #1 operative a. being in force or having or exerting force; "operative regulations"; "the major tendencies operative in the American political system". wn

[2] #2 operative n. [secret agent, intelligence officer, intelligence agent] a person secretly employed in espionage for a government. wn

[3] #3 operative n. [private detective, PI, private eye, private investigator, shamus, sherlock] someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information. wn

[4] #4 operative a. [surgical] relating to or requiring or amenable to treatment by surgery especially as opposed to medicine; "a surgical appendix"; "a surgical procedure"; "operative dentistry". wn

[5] #5 operative s. effective; producing a desired effect; "the operative word". wn