Definition of "elective"
elective
adjective
comparative more elective, superlative most elective
Of, or pertaining to voting or elections; involving a choice between options.
Quotations
[The bill] says that no natives of countries (not of European origin) which have not hitherto possessed elective representative institutions […] shall be placed on the voters roll […]
1896, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, “The South African Question” in Speeches and Writings of M. K. Gandhi, Madras: G.A. Natesan, 3rd edition, 1922, p. 6
Open to choice; freely chosen.
Quotations
[…] his Lordship is deceived if he think any spontaneous action after once being checked in it, differs from an action voluntary and elective, for even the setting of a mans foot, in the posture for walking, and the action of ordinary eating was once deliberated of how and when it should be done, and though afterward it became easie & habitual so as to be done without fore-thought, yet that does not hinder but that the act is voluntary and proceedeth from election.
1654, Thomas Hobbes, Of Libertie and Necessitie, London: F. Eaglesfield, pages 12–13
“You know not then,” said Cecilia, in a faint voice, “my inability to comply?” / “Your ability, or inability, I presume are elective?” / “Oh no!—my power is lost!—my fortune itself is gone!”
1782, Frances Burney, Cecilia, London: T. Payne & Son, and T. Cadell, Volume 5, Book 9, Chapter 8, pp. 160-161