Executive \Ex*ec"u*tive\, n. An impersonal title of the chief magistrate or officer who administers the government, whether king, president, or governor; the governing person or body.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Executive \Ex*ec"u*tive\, a. [Cf.F. ex['e]cutif.]

Designed or fitted for execution, or carrying into effect; as, executive talent; qualifying for, concerned with, or pertaining to, the execution of the laws or the conduct of affairs; as, executive power or authority; executive duties, officer, department, etc.

Note: In government, executive is distinguished from legislative and judicial; legislative being applied to the organ or organs of government which make the laws; judicial, to that which interprets and applies the laws; executive, to that which carries them into effect or secures their due performance.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)