Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Filled by appointment rather than by election: Describes a position, role, or office that is assigned to a person by an authority, as opposed to being chosen through a vote by the public or a group.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The position of Secretary of State is a non-elective office filled by presidential appointment.
  • Judges in some countries hold non-elective positions, being appointed based on their legal expertise.
  • The committee includes both elective and non-elective members to ensure diverse representation.

Advanced Usage

• "non-elective surgery": In medical contexts, this phrase is a common compound term meaning a surgical procedure that is required for health reasons, not chosen optionally. (Note: This is a distinct compound term; the core adjective "non-elective" here modifies "surgery" to mean "not optional.")
  • The patient underwent non-elective surgery to treat the life-threatening condition.

Variants and Related Words

• Appointive (adj): Relating to or filled by appointment. Often used interchangeably with "non-elective" in the context of offices.
  • The council has both elective and appointive powers.
• Ex officio (adj, adv): By virtue of one's office or position. This describes a role someone holds automatically because of another primary, often non-elective, position.
  • The CEO is an ex officio member of the board.

Synonyms

• Appointed: Chosen for a position by an authority.
• By appointment: Filled through a selection process rather than an election.

Antonyms

• Elective: Chosen by election; filled by popular vote.
• Elected: Having been chosen by vote.

Adjective

1. filled by appointment rather than by election
   • a nonelective office