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Operative Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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operative

[ˈɒpərətɪv ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

medical

Relating to or involving surgical operations or procedures.

Synonyms

medical, operational, surgical.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
operative

Similar to the first entry for 'operative', but emphasis can also be on the context of being involved in covert or undercover activities.

  • The CIA operative gathered crucial intelligence.
  • Anti-terrorist operative teams were deployed.
surgical

Describes anything related to surgery or operations performed by a surgeon. It can also metaphorically describe precision and accuracy.

  • He specializes in surgical procedures.
  • The military made a surgical strike to minimize collateral damage.
medical

Refers to anything related to the field of medicine or healthcare.

  • She is studying medical sciences at university.
  • They gave him medical treatment after the accident.
operational

Used to describe something that is ready for use, functioning, or in operation, particularly in a business or military context.

  • The new software is now fully operational.
  • The military base will be operational by next week.

Examples of usage

  • The patient was taken to the operative room for emergency surgery.
  • The doctor explained the operative risks to the patient.
  • The nurse prepared the instruments for the operative procedure.
Context #2 | Noun

intelligence

A person who works for a secret service or intelligence agency.

Synonyms

agent, mole, spy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
operative

Used mainly to describe a person who works secretly, often for a government or military organization. This term is general and does not inherently suggest illegal action.

  • The operative managed to infiltrate the group without raising suspicion.
  • An undercover operative was planted within the criminal organization to gather evidence.
agent

Commonly used to describe a person who acts on behalf of an organization, especially in roles related to intelligence or law enforcement. The term can be used in both formal and casual contexts.

  • She was promoted to the rank of agent after years of service.
  • The agent received vital information from an informant.
spy

Generally used to describe someone who secretly collects information, especially for a government. The term can have a dramatic or romantic connotation and is often used in media and entertainment.

  • The spy was captured while trying to steal classified documents.
  • He lived a double life as a spy for years without being discovered.
mole

Refers to a person who is secretly working within an organization to pass information to a rival or enemy. This term often carries negative connotations and implies betrayal.

  • They discovered a mole within their ranks who had been leaking information for years.
  • The mole jeopardized the entire operation by revealing confidential plans.

Examples of usage

  • The operatives gathered information on the enemy's activities.
  • She was recruited as an operative for the CIA.
  • The operatives infiltrated the terrorist cell.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

  • The term is often used in espionage-themed movies and literature to describe spies and agents.
  • In the video game series 'Metal Gear', operatives play key roles in covert operations to prevent global threats.
  • Popular TV shows like 'Alias' and '24' feature characters who are skilled operatives, involved in high-stakes missions.

Science

  • In psychology, an operative can refer to an individual engaged in purposeful behavior aimed at achieving specific goals.
  • The concept of operant conditioning, developed by B.F. Skinner, relies on the actions of operatives to modify behavior through rewards or punishments.
  • In technology, operative systems manage the interaction between users and computer hardware, ensuring tasks are completed effectively.

History

  • During World War II, covert operatives were crucial in gathering intelligence and executing secret missions.
  • The Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the predecessor to the CIA, was filled with operatives who trained in sabotage, guerrilla warfare, and espionage.
  • Famous operatives like Virginia Hall were instrumental in the Allied efforts, making significant contributions despite being underestimated by their adversaries.

Origin of 'operative'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'operari', which means 'to work' or 'to operate'.
  • It has been used in English since the early 15th century, initially to describe a person who performs work.
  • In the late 19th century, it started being associated with secret agents and intelligence work.

The word 'operative' originated from the Latin word 'operativus', which means 'active, effective'. It first appeared in English in the late 16th century. Originally, it was used to describe something in a state of being active or in operation. Over time, the word evolved to also include the meanings related to surgery and intelligence operations.

See also: cooperate, inoperable, interoperable, operability, operable, operate, operated, operates, operating, operation, operational, operationally, operations.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,391, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.