FACULTATIVE
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.)
Defn: 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.
FACULTY Fac"ul*ty, n.; pl. Faculties. Etym: [F. facult, L. facultas, fr. facilis easy (cf. facul easily), fr. fecere to make. See Fact, and cf. Facility.]
1. Ability to act or perform, whether inborn or cultivated; capacity for any natural function; especially, an original mental power or capacity for any of the well-known classes of mental activity; psychical or soul capacity; capacity for any of the leading kinds of soul activity, as knowledge, feeling, volition; intellectual endowment or gift; power; as, faculties of the mind or the soul. But know that in the soul Are many lesser faculties that serve Reason as chief. Milton. What a piece of work is a man ! how noble in reason ! how infinite in faculty ! Shak.
2. Special mental endowment; characteristic knack. He had a ready faculty, indeed, of escaping from any topic that agitated his too sensitive and nervous temperament. Hawthorne.
3. Power; prerogative or attribute of office. [R.] This Duncan Hath borne his faculties so meek. Shak.