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.
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.
