elective affinity

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

1.Exerting the power of choice; selecting; as, an elective act. [1913 Webster]

2.Pertaining to, or consisting in, choice, or right of choosing; electoral. [1913 Webster]

The independent use of their elective franchise.— Bancroft.[1913 Webster]

3.Bestowed or passing by election; as, an elective office. [1913 Webster]

Kings of Rome were at first elective; . . . for such are the conditions of an elective kingdom.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

4.Dependent on choice; that can be refused; as, an elective college course. Opposite of required or mandatory. [1913 Webster +PJC]

Elective affinity or Elective attraction (Chem.), a tendency to unite with certain things; chemism. [1913 Webster]