operative

clé, essentiel, efficace

Qui est essentiel pour comprendre quelque chose ou obtenir le résultat voulu.

En anglais simple : Most important for understanding something, or producing the intended result.

• The operative word here is 'free'.
• He promised to try; 'try' is the operative word.
• Trust is the operative principle behind this agreement.

Synonymes : key, crucial, effective

Expressions courantes : operative word, operative phrase, operative principle

opérationnel, en vigueur

Qui fonctionne, est prêt à fonctionner ou est actuellement en vigueur.

En anglais simple : Working or ready to work; currently having an effect.

• The alarm is now operative.
• The new rules become operative next month.
• Engineers checked that all safety systems were fully operative.

Synonymes : working, operational, in force

Contraires : inoperative

Expressions courantes : fully operative, operative system, become operative

agissant, actif

Qui produit un changement ou influence activement ce qui se passe.

En anglais simple : Actively producing a change or influencing what happens.

• Fear was the operative motive behind his decision.
• Several operative forces shaped the outcome.
• The study identifies the operative causes of this change.

Synonymes : active, effective

Contraires : inactive

Expressions courantes : operative force, operative motive, operative cause

ouvrier, opérateur

Une personne employée pour une tâche précise, souvent manuelle ou demandant un savoir-faire particulier.

En anglais simple : A person employed to do a particular job, often practical or skilled work.

• The factory needs more operatives.
• She works as a machine operative.
• Trained operatives check each part before packing it.

Synonymes : worker, employee

Expressions courantes : machine operative, production operative, warehouse operative

agent secret, espion

Une personne qui recueille des informations ou accomplit des missions secrètes pour une organisation.

En anglais simple : A person who secretly collects information or carries out tasks for an organization.

• The operative used a false name.
• Two operatives followed the suspect through the city.
• The agency sent an experienced operative to investigate.

Synonymes : agent, spy

Expressions courantes : undercover operative, intelligence operative, secret operative