Facultative

Facultative
Facultative Fac"ul*ta*tive, a. [L. facultas, -atis, faculty: cf. F. facultatif, G. fakultativ.] 1. Having relation to the grant or exercise faculty, or authority, privilege, license, or the like hence, optional; as, facultative enactments, or those which convey a faculty, or permission; the facultative referendum of Switzerland is one that is optional with the people and is necessary only when demanded by petition; facultative studies; -- opposed to {obligatory} and {compulsory}, and sometimes used with to. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

2. Of such a character as to admit of existing under various forms or conditions, or of happening or not happening, or the like; specif.: (Biol.) Having the power to live under different conditions; as, a facultative parasite, a plant which is normally saprophytic, but which may exist wholly or in part as a parasite; -- opposed to {obligate}. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

3. (Physiol.) Pertaining to a faculty or faculties.

In short, there is no facultative plurality in the mind; it is a single organ of true judgment for all purposes, cognitive or practical. --J. Martineau. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • facultative — facultative. См. факультативный. (Источник: «Англо русский толковый словарь генетических терминов». Арефьев В.А., Лисовенко Л.А., Москва: Изд во ВНИРО, 1995 г.) …   Молекулярная биология и генетика. Толковый словарь.

  • facultative — index voluntary Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • facultative — [fak′əl tāt΄iv] adj. [Fr facultatif < L facultas: see FACULTY] 1. a) granting a faculty, or permission; permissive b) optional 2. that may or may not happen or be; contingent 3. having to do with a faculty or faculties …   English World dictionary

  • facultative — ● facultatif, facultative adjectif (latin facultas, atis, faculté) Qu on a la liberté de faire ou de ne pas faire : Présence facultative. ● facultatif, facultative (expressions) adjectif (latin facultas, atis, faculté) Arrêt facultatif, arrêt où… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • facultative — adjective Date: 1820 1. a. of or relating to the grant of permission, authority, or privilege < facultative legislation > b. optional 2. of or relating to a mental faculty 3. a. taking place under some conditions but not under others …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • facultative — Able to live under more than one specific set of environmental conditions; possessing an alternative pathway. * * * fac·ul·ta·tive fak əl .tāt iv adj 1) taking place under some conditions but not under others <facultative parasitism> 2)… …   Medical dictionary

  • facultative — facultatively, adv. /fak euhl tay tiv/, adj. 1. conferring a faculty, privilege, permission, or the power of doing or not doing something: a facultative enactment. 2. left to one s option or choice; optional: The last questions in the examination …   Universalium

  • facultative — not limited to; not dependent on. Opposite of obligatory, e.g. Oncorhynchus mykiss is a facultative marine fish, being capable of entering freshwater …   Dictionary of ichthyology

  • facultative — [ fak(ə)lˌtətɪv] adjective 1》 occurring optionally in response to circumstances rather than by nature. 2》 Biology capable of but not restricted to a particular function or mode of life: a facultative parasite. Derivatives facultatively adverb… …   English new terms dictionary

  • facultative — adj. describing an organism that is not restricted to one way of life. A facultative parasite can live either as a parasite or, in different conditions, as a nonparasite able to survive without a host. Compare: obligate …   The new mediacal dictionary

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