Functioning and Operative

noun

• Process or manner of functioning or operating.
  • usage: "the power of its engine determines its operation"; "the plane's operation in high winds"; "they compared the cooking performance of each oven"; "the jet's performance conformed to high standards"
  • synonyms: operation, performance

verb

• Perform as expected when applied.
  • usage: "The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in"; "Does this old car still run well"; "This old radio doesn't work anymore"
  • synonyms: function, work, operate, go, run
• Serve a purpose, role, or function.
  • usage: "The tree stump serves as a table"; "The female students served as a control group"; "This table would serve very well"; "His freedom served him well"; "The table functions as a desk"
  • synonyms: serve, function
• Perform duties attached to a particular office or place or function.
  • usage: "His wife officiated as his private secretary"
  • synonyms: officiate, function

adjective

• Performing or able to perform its regular function.
  • usage: "a functioning flashlight"

noun

• A person secretly employed in espionage for a government.
  • synonyms: secret agent, intelligence officer, intelligence agent
• Someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information.
  • synonyms: private detective, PI, private eye, private investigator, shamus, sherlock

adjective

• Being in force or having or exerting force.
  • usage: "operative regulations"; "the major tendencies operative in the American political system"
• Relating to or requiring or amenable to treatment by surgery especially as opposed to medicine.
  • usage: "a surgical appendix"; "a surgical procedure"; "operative dentistry"
  • synonyms: surgical
• Effective; producing a desired effect.
  • usage: "the operative word"
• Of e. G. A machine. ( performing or capable of performing)
  • usage: "in running (or working) order"; "a functional set of brakes"
  • synonyms: running, functional, working

• (a.) Having the power of acting; hence, exerting force, physical or moral; active in the production of effects; as, an operative motive.
• (a.) Producing the appropriate or designed effect; efficacious; as, an operative dose, rule or penalty.
• (a.) Based upon or consisting of, an operation or operations; as, operative surgery.
• (n.) A skilled worker; an artisan; especially, one who operates a machine in a mill or manufactory.