The Clue
Private eye (9 letter answer)
The Answer
OPERATIVE
Tags
Notes
The answer OPERATIVE is rarely seen, appearing only about once every 2400 puzzles.
Related Clues
Key
Sleuth
In working order
Definition
OPERATIVE as a noun:
1. (secret agent, intelligence officer, intelligence agent, operative) = a person secretly employed in espionage for a government
2. (private detective, PI, private eye, private investigator, operative, shamus, sherlock) = someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information
OPERATIVE as an adjective:
1. being in force or having or exerting force; "operative regulations"; "the major tendencies operative in the American political system"
2. of or relating to a surgical operation; "operative surgery"
3. (surgical, operative) = relating to or requiring or amenable to treatment by surgery especially as opposed to medicine; "a surgical appendix"; "a surgical procedure"; "operative dentistry"
4. (operative, key) = effective; producing a desired effect; "the operative word"
5. (running, operative, functional, working) = (of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing; "in running (or working) order"; "a functional set of brakes"