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more about facultative
facultative |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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 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}. 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 From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: facultative adj 1: of or relating to the mental faculties 2: (biology) able to exist under more than one set of conditions; "a facultative parasite can exist as a parasite or a saprophyte" [ant: {obligate}] 3: granting a privilege or permission or power to do or not do something "a facultative enactment" 4: not compulsory; "facultative courses in the sciences"
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