Executive

[ig-zek-yuh-tiv] /ɪgˈzɛk yə tɪv/

noun
1.
a person or group of persons having administrative or supervisory authority in an organization.
2.
the person or persons in whom the supreme executive power of a government is vested.
3.
the executive branch of a government.
adjective
4.
of, relating to, or suited for carrying out plans, duties, etc.:
executive ability.
5.
pertaining to or charged with the of laws and policies or the administration of public affairs:
executive appointments; executive committees.
6.
designed for, used by, or suitable for executives:
an executive suite.
/ɪɡˈzɛkjʊtɪv/
noun
1.

2.

adjective
3.
having the function or purpose of carrying plans, orders, laws, etc, into practical effect
4.
of, relating to, or designed for an executive: the executive suite
5.
(informal) of the most expensive or exclusive type: executive housing, executive class
adj.

mid-15c., “performed, carried out;” 1640s, “of the branch of government that carries out the laws,” from Middle French executif, from Latin executivus, from past participle stem of exequi (see execution). The noun in this sense is from 1776, as a branch of government. Meaning “businessman” is 1902 in American English. Executive privilege is attested by 1805, American English.

modifier

Stylish; luxurious; costly; posh: executive housing/ executive bus/ executive class (1970s+)

operating system
The command interpreter or shell for an operating system. The term is used especially around mainframes and probably derived from UNIVAC’s archaic EXEC 2 and current (in 2000) EXEC 8 operating systems.
(2000-08-06)