elective
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1elec·tive
adjective \i-ˈlek-tiv\Definition of ELECTIVE
1
a : chosen or filled by popular election <an elective official> b : of or relating to election c : based on the right or principle of election <the presidency is an elective office>
2
a : permitting a choice : optional <an elective course in school> b : beneficial to the patient but not essential for survival <elective surgery>
3
a : tending to operate on one substance rather than another <elective absorption> b : favorably inclined to one more than to another : sympathetic <an elective affinity>
— elec·tive·ly adverb
— elec·tive·ness noun
See Examples of ELECTIVE
- He's never held an elective office.
- Plastic surgery is elective surgery.
- She took three elective courses last term.
First Known Use of ELECTIVE
circa 1531
Related to ELECTIVE
- Synonyms
- discretionary, optional, voluntary
- Antonyms
- compulsory, mandatory, nonelective, nonvoluntary, obligatory, required
Other Government and Politics Terms
Rhymes with ELECTIVE
2elective
nounDefinition of ELECTIVE
: an elective course or subject
Examples of ELECTIVE
- She's taking several electives this year.
First Known Use of ELECTIVE
1850
Other Education Terms
elec·tive
adjective \i-ˈlek-tiv\ (Medical Dictionary)Medical Definition of ELECTIVE
: beneficial to the patient but not essential for survival <an elective appendectomy>
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All Words Near: elective
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All Words Near: elective
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