Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Elective
E-lect′ive
,Adj.
[Cf. F.
électif
.] 1.
Exerting the power of choice; selecting;
as, an
. elective
act2.
Pertaining to, or consisting in, choice, or right of choosing; electoral.
The independent use of their
elective
franchise. Bancroft.
3.
Bestowed or passing by election;
as, an
elective
office.Kings of Rome were at first
elective
; . . . for such are the conditions of an elective
kingdom. Dryden.
Elective affinity
or
Elective attraction
(Chem.)
, a tendency to unite with certain things; chemism.
E-lect′ive
,Noun.
In an American college, an optional study or course of study; a course that is not required.
[Colloq.]
Webster 1828 Edition
Elective
ELECT'IVE
,Adj.
1.
Bestowed or passing by election; as an office is elective.2.
Pertaining to or consisting in choice or right of choosing; as elective franchise.3.
Exerting the power of choice; as an elective act.4.
Selecting for combination; as elective attraction, which is a tendency in bodies to unite with certain kinds of matter in preference to others.