from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Elective \E*lect"ive\, a. [Cf. F. ['e]lectif.]
1. Exerting the power of choice; selecting; as, an elective
act.
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2. Pertaining to, or consisting in, choice, or right of
choosing; electoral.
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The independent use of their elective franchise.
--Bancroft.
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3. Bestowed or passing by election; as, an elective office.
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Kings of Rome were at first elective; . . . for such
are the conditions of an elective kingdom. --Dryden.
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4. Dependent on choice; that can be refused; as, an elective
college course. Opposite of {required} or {mandatory}.
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{Elective affinity} or {Elective attraction} (Chem.), a
tendency to unite with certain things; chemism.
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