a. and sb. [ad. L. type *ex(s)ecūtīv-us, f. ex(s)ecūt- ppl. stem of exsequī: see EXECUTE v. and -IVE. Cf. F. exécutif.]
† 1. Capable of performance; operative. Obs.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., III. xvii. 148. They [some Laws] unawares enjoyned perpetuall chastity; for [Hermaphrodites] being executive in both parts [male and female], and confined [by some Laws] unto one, they restrained a naturall power.
¶ b. That executes sentence of death. (Stressed e·xecutive.) Obs. rare–1.
1773. J. Ross, Fratricide (MS.), I. 268. First whirl’d aloft the executive blade.
2. † a. Active in execution, energetic (obs. rare).
b. Apt or skilful in execution. (Chiefly U.S.)
1708. Penn, in Pa. Hist. Soc. Mem., X. 291. Rouse up, and be vigorous and executive.
1825. New Monthly Mag., XIV. 178. He is tolerably executive in converting his wishes into acts.
1888. Bryce, Amer. Commw., II. III. lix. 412. The Americans are, to use their favourite expression, a highly executive people.
3. Pertaining to execution; having the function of executing or carrying into practical effect.
1677. Hale, Prim. Orig. Man., I. i. 29. They are the … strongest Instruments, fittest to be executive of the commands of the Soul.
1685. R. Baxter, Paraphr. N. T., 2 Tim. i. 7. The three great faculties of the Soul, the Executive Faculty … the Will … and the Intellect.
1691. Norris, Pract. Disc., 19. The Ship indeed has good Sails, there is nothing wanting to the Executive part.
1753. N. Torriano, Gangr. Sore Throat, 105. The Method of Treatment is always founded on the general Indications, but the executive Part is subordinated to Circumstances.
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Executive branch. The commissioned and working officers of the ship, as distinguished from the civilian branch.
1875. Hamerton, Intell. Life, IV. ii. 149. A most experienced artist, a man of the very rarest executive ability.
1879. Lubbock, Addr. Pol. & Educ., iii. 47. Two executive Commissions were subsequently constituted.
b. esp. as the distinctive epithet of that branch of the government that is concerned or charged with carrying out the laws, decrees, and judicial sentences; opposed to ‘judicial’ and ‘legislative.’
1649. Selden, Laws Eng., I. xvi. (1739), 29. The executive power of the Law rested much in the Nobility.
1689. Locke, Govt., II. xii. The legislative and executive power come often to be separated.
1742. Hume, Ess., vi. Indep. Parl. The executive power in every government is altogether subordinate to the legislative.
1790. Burke, Fr. Rev., 292. This their first executive officer is to be a machine.
1848. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 469. The executive government could undertake nothing great without the support of the Commons.
1863. H. Cox, Instit., III. iii. 631. The King has absolute power to retain executive ministers against the declared wish of the nation.
4. Of or pertaining to the Executive (see B. 1). Executive Session, U.S. (see quot. 1888).
1811. J. Quincy, Speech, 30 Jan. (1874), 235. Those … desirous of places in the executive gift.
1837. H. Martineau, Soc. Amer., II. 289. The fear and complaint are … of the increase of executive patronage.
1865. Lincoln, Message to Congress, 6 Jan. If the people should … make it an Executive duty to re-enslave such persons.
1888. Bryce, Amer. Commw., II. II. xl. 97. A State Senate … has … the power of confirming or rejecting appointments to office made by the governor. When it considers these it is said to ‘go into executive Session.’
B. sb.
1. That branch of the government which is charged with the execution of the laws.
1790. Burke, Fr. Rev., 292. It [a council] holds a sort of middle place between the supreme power exercised by the people … and the mere executive.
1847. Mrs. A. Kerr, trans. Ranke’s Hist. Servia, 297. This force constituted a sort of armed executive.
1866. Bright, Sp. Irel., 30 Oct. By the forbearance and permission of the Irish executive.
fig. 1842. Mrs. Browning, Grk. Chr. Poets (1863), 146. The drama is the executive of literature.
b. The person or persons in whom the supreme executive magistracy of a country or state is vested. Chiefly U.S., applied to the President (also called chief executive), and to the governors of states.
1787. Resolution, 1 June, in Jrnl. Fed. Conv. (1819), 89. Resolved, That a national executive to consist of a single person be instituted.
1787. Randolph, in Bancroft Hist. U.S. (1885), VI. 213. A national executive chosen by the national legislature and ineligible a second time.
1811. J. Quincy, Speech, 30 Jan. (1874), 242. It may be admitted that all executives for the time being are virtuous.
1855. A. Barnes, Way Salvation, xi. 138. It might contribute much … to dispose an executive to pardon an offender if he was satisfied that he was truly penitent.
1876. Garfield, Sp. Policy Pacif., in Kirke, Life, 30/2. Our great military chieftain [Grant] … had command as chief executive during eight years of … eventful administration.
1876. Bancroft, Hist. U. S. (1884), VI. 294. The executive was henceforward [from 6 Aug. 1787] known as ‘the President.’
1891. Nation (N.Y.), 5 Nov., 345/1. A Governor who had shown himself one of the best executives the State has ever had.
2. transf. Any administrative body.
1868. Peard, Water-farm., ix. 100. Sixteen shillings per week to each water-keeper, would … secure a grateful, and honest executive.
1884. Sir J. Bacon, in Law Rep. 26 Chanc. Div. 133. Directors, who were to form the executive of the association.
