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elettivo

elective, elected

adjective eh-let-TEE-voh Rare

Origin: From Latin electivus, from eligere, 'to choose'.

Usage Note

Elettivo describes something determined by election or choice — una carica elettiva ('an elective office'), affinità elettive ('elective affinities', the title of Goethe's novel in Italian). In medicine, intervento elettivo means an 'elective procedure' (non-urgent, planned). Not to be confused with eletto ('elected, chosen') which is the past participle of eleggere.

Examples

"Il sindaco ricopre una carica elettiva."

Natural Translation

The mayor holds an elective office.

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