E-lĕct′ive, a.
a. [Fr. électif, Pr. electiu, Sp. & Pg. electivo, It. elettivo.]
Sense 1. Exerting the power of choice; making selection; as, an elective act.
Sense 2. Pertaining to, or consisting in, choice, or right of choosing. “The independent use of their elective franchise.” Bancroft.
Sense 3. Dependent on choice; 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. Drulen.
Elective affinity, or attraction (Chem.), a tendency to unite with certain things rather than with others.