to work, perform, or function, as a machine does: This engine does not operate properly.
2.
to work or use a machine, apparatus, or the like.
3.
to act effectively; produce an effect; exert force or influence (often fol. by on or upon): Their propaganda is beginning to operate on the minds of the people.
4.
to perform some process of work or treatment.
5.
Surgery. to perform a surgical procedure.
6.
(of a drug) to produce the effect intended.
7.
Military.
a.
to carry on operations in war.
b.
to give orders and accomplish military acts, as distinguished from doing staff work.
8.
to carry on transactions in securities, or some commodity, esp. speculatively or on a large scale.
9.
Informal. to use devious means for one's own gain; insinuate oneself; finagle: a man who knows how to operate with the ladies.
–verb (used with object)
10.
to manage or use (a machine, device, etc.): to operate a switchboard.
11.
to put or keep (a factory, industrial system, ranch, etc.) working or in operation: to operate a coal mine.
12.
to bring about, effect, or produce, as by action or the exertion of force or influence.
[Origin: 1600–10; < LL operātus, ptp. of operārī, -āre to work, be efficacious, effect, produce, L: to busy oneself, v. deriv. of opera effort, work, akin to opus work; see -ate1]
1606, "to be in effect," from L. operari "to work, labor" (in L.L. "to have effect, be active, cause"), see operation. Surgical sense is first attested 1799. Meaning "to work machinery" is from 1864 in Amer.Eng. Operator is first recorded 1597, "one who performs mechanical or surgical operations." Meaning "one who carries on business shrewdly" is from 1828. Specific sense of "one who works a telephone switchboard" (1884) grew out of earlier meaning "one who works a telegraph" (1847).
direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.; "She is running a relief operation in the Sudan"
2.
perform as expected when applied; "The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in"; "Does this old car still run well?"; "This old radio doesn't work anymore" [syn: function] [ant: malfunction]
3.
handle and cause to function; "do not operate machinery after imbibing alcohol"; "control the lever"
4.
perform a movement in military or naval tactics in order to secure an advantage in attack or defense [syn: manoeuver]
5.
happen; "What is going on in the minds of the people?"
6.
keep engaged; "engaged the gears" [syn: engage] [ant: disengage]
7.
perform surgery on; "The doctors operated on the patient but failed to save his life" [syn: operate on]
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This Main Entry: op·er·ate Pronunciation: 'äp-(&-)"rAt Function: verb Inflected Forms: -at·ed; -at·ing intransitive senses : to perform surgery transitive senses : to perform surgery on <operated the growth>
Co*["o]p"er*ate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Co["o]perated; p. pr. & vb. n. Co["o]perating.] [L. co["o]peratus, p. p. of co["o]perari to co["o]perate; co + operari to work, opus work. See Operate.] To act or operate jointly with another or others; to concur in action, effort, or effect. Whate'er co["o]perates to the common mirth. --Crashaw.
Ma*neu"ver\, Manoeuvre \Ma*n[oe]u"vre\, n. [F. man[oe]uvre, OF. manuevre, LL. manopera, lit., hand work, manual labor; L. manus hand + opera, fr. opus work. See Manual, Operate, and cf. Mainor, Manure.]1. Management; dexterous movement; specif., a military or naval evolution, movement, or change of position. 2. Management with address or artful design; adroit proceeding; stratagem.
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Audio Help [op-uh-reyt] Pronunciation Key verb, -at·ed, -at·ing. 
