Synonyms: private detective, private eye, private investigator, PI, operative, shamus, sherlock
Definition: someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information
Similar words: detective
Definition: an investigator engaged or employed in obtaining information not easily available to the public
Synonyms: operative, intelligence agent, intelligence officer, secret agent
Definition: a person secretly employed in espionage for a government
Similar words: agent
Definition: a representative who acts on behalf of other persons or organizations
Synonyms: operative
Definition: being in force or having or exerting force
Usage: operative regulations; the major tendencies operative in the American political system
Similar words: operant
Definition: having influence or producing an effect
Usage: many emotional determinants at work; an operant conscience
Similar words: in effect, in force, good, effective
Definition: exerting force or influence
Usage: the law is effective immediately; a warranty good for two years; the law is already in effect (or in force)
Similar words: in operation, operating, operational
Definition: being in effect or operation
Usage: de facto apartheid is still operational even in the `new' African nations- Leslie Marmon Silko; bus service is in operation during the emergency; the company had several operating divisions
Similar words: working
Definition: serving to permit or facilitate further work or activity
Usage: discussed the working draft of a peace treaty; they need working agreements with their neighbor states on interstate projects
Synonyms: functional, operative, running, working
Definition: (of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing
Usage: in running (or working) order; a functional set of brakes
Similar words: functioning
Definition: performing or able to perform its regular function
Usage: a functioning flashlight
Definition: relating to or requiring or amenable to treatment by surgery especially as opposed to medicine
Usage: a surgical appendix; a surgical procedure; operative dentistry
Similar words: preoperative
Definition: happening or done before and in preparation for a surgical operation
Similar words: postoperative
Definition: happening or done after a surgical operation
Usage: postoperative complications; postoperative care
Synonyms: operative
Definition: effective; producing a desired effect
Usage: the operative word
Similar words: important, significant
Definition: important in effect or meaning
Usage: a significant change in tax laws; a significant change in the Constitution; a significant contribution; significant details; statistically significant