Having the principle relevance

[Ticknall19]

This is a local crossword made up primarily of nine-letter answers (as shown by the setter), although these can be two-word answers e.g. 2,7 3,6 4,5 and vice versa. I am stuck on the following:

Having the principle relevance (9) The letters I have are o?e???i?e

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. T.I.A.

Ticknall19

[Mamyalynne]

Operative

[Mamyalynne]

DEf

(of a word) Having the most relevance or significance in a phrase or sentence

[Ticknall19]

mamyalynne: I like operative but cannot trace its relevance. Can you tell me where you found the answer? ticknall19

[MarkRae]

As in the phrase "the operative word".