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 followed by on or upon ): Their propaganda is beginning to operate on the minds of the people.
Origin: 1600–10; < Late Latinoperātus, past participle of operārī, -āre to work, be efficacious, effect, produce, Latin: to busy oneself, verbal derivative of opera effort, work, akin to opus work; see -ate1
Related forms
op·er·at·a·ble, adjective
pre·op·er·ate, verb (used without object), pre·op·er·at·ed, pre·op·er·at·ing.
re·op·er·ate, verb (used with object), re·op·er·at·ed, re·op·er·at·ing.
c.1600, "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. Operating system in the computer sense is from 1961.