operant vs operative

operant

adj
  • That operates to produce an effect. 

noun
  • Any of a class of behaviors that produce consequences by operating (i.e., acting) upon the environment. 

  • An operative person or thing. 

operative

adj
  • Producing the appropriate or designed effect; efficacious. 

  • Functional, in working order. 

  • Effectual or important. 

  • Having the power of acting; hence, exerting force, physical or moral; active in the production of effects. 

  • Based upon, or consisting of, a surgical operation or operations. 

noun
  • An employee or other worker with some particular function or skill. 

  • A spy, secret agent, or detective. 

  • A participant in an operation. 

How often have the words operant and operative occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )