operative

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a person secretly employed in espionage for a government
  2. noun someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information
  3. adjective being in force or having or exerting force

Etymology

From Middle English operative, operatyfe, from Middle French operatif (modern French opératif) or its etymon Latin operātīvus. By surface analysis, operate + -ive.

In classic literature

Synonyms

secret agent, intelligence officer, intelligence agent

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