operative /ˈɒpərətɪv/ CET6 TEM8

• 1. 

  ADJ A system or service that is operative is working or having an effect. (系统、服务) 起作用的 [正式]

  例：

  The commercial telephone service was no longer operative.

  商业电话服务不起作用了。

• 2. 

  N-COUNT An operative is a worker, especially one who does work with their hands. 技工 [正式]

  例：

  In an automated car plant there is not a human operative to be seen.

  在全自动汽车制造厂，一个工人也看不到。

• 3. 

  N-COUNT An operative is someone who works for a government agency such as the intelligence service. 特工人员 [美国英语]

  例：

  Naturally the CIA wants to protect its operatives.

  中央情报局当然想保护自己的特工人员。

• 4. 

  PHRASE If you describe a word as the operative word, you want to draw attention to it because you think it is important or exactly true in a particular situation. 关键词

  例：

  As long as the operative word is "greed," you can't count on people keeping the costs down.

  只要关键词是“贪婪”，你就不能指望人们降低开销。