Operativity

[op-er-uh-tiv, op-ruh-tiv, op-uh-rey-tiv] /ˈɒp ər ə tɪv, ˈɒp rə tɪv, ˈɒp əˌreɪ tɪv/

noun
1.
a person engaged, employed, or skilled in some branch of work, especially productive or industrial work; worker.
2.
a detective.
3.
a secret agent; spy.
adjective
4.
, or exerting force, power, or influence.
5.
having force; being in effect or :
laws operative in this city.
6.
effective or efficacious.
7.
engaged in, concerned with, or pertaining to work or productive activity.
8.
significant; key: The operative word in that sentence is “sometimes.”.
9.
Medicine/Medical. concerned with, involving, or pertaining to surgical .
/ˈɒpərətɪv/
adjective
1.
in force, effect, or operation
2.
exerting force or influence
3.
producing a desired effect; significant: the operative word
4.
of or relating to a surgical procedure
noun
5.
a worker, esp one with a special skill
6.
(US) a private detective
adj.

“producing the intended effect,” early 15c., from Old French operatif (14c.) or directly from Late Latin operativus “creative, formative,” from operat-, past participle stem of operari (see operation). Weakened sense of “significant, important” is from 1955.
n.

“worker, operator,” 1809, from operative (adj.); sense of “secret agent, spy” is first attested 1930, probably from its use by the Pinkerton Detective Agency as a title for their private detectives (1905).

operative op·er·a·tive (ŏp’ər-ə-tĭv, -ə-rā’tĭv, ŏp’rə-)
adj.