Main Entry: ¹elec·tive

Pronunciation: \i-ˈlek-tiv\

Function: adjective

Date: circa 1531

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