elective

 
Pronunciation: /ɪˈlɛktɪv/

adjective

  • 1related to or working by means of election: an elective democracy
  • (of a person or office) appointed or filled by election: he had never held elective office the National Assembly, with 125 elective members
  • (of a body or position) possessing or giving the power to elect: powerful Emperors manipulated the elective body
  • 2(of surgical or medical treatment) chosen by the patient rather than urgently necessary: elective surgery
  • (of a course of study) chosen by the student rather than compulsory: elective courses on this subject have always been oversubscribed

noun

chiefly North American
  • an optional course of study.

Derivatives

electively

adverb

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French electif, -ive, from late Latin electivus, from elect- 'picked out', from the verb eligere (see elect)