01 a. Having relation to the grant or exercise faculty, or authority, privilege, license, or the like hence, optional; as, facultative enactments…
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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.
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Of such a character as to admit of existing under various forms or conditions, or of happening or not happening, or the like;(Biol.)
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3.
Pertaining to a faculty or faculties.(Physiol.)“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.