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operate - 7 dictionary results

op⋅er⋅ate

  [op-uh-reyt] verb, -at⋅ed, -at⋅ing.
Use operate in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. 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 -ate 1

Related forms:
op⋅er⋅at⋅a⋅ble, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To operate
op·er·ate   (ŏp'ə-rāt')   
v.   op·er·at·ed, op·er·at·ing, op·er·ates

v.   intr.
  1. To perform a function; work: The motor operates smoothly.
  2. To perform surgery.
    1. To exert an influence: forces operating on the economy.
    2. To produce a desired or proper effect: a drug that operates quickly.
  4. To carry on a military or naval action or campaign.
  5. Informal To conduct business in an irregular or devious manner: drug dealers operating in residential and urban areas.
v.   tr.
  1. To control the functioning of; run: operate a sewing machine.
  2. To conduct the affairs of; manage: operate a business.

[Latin operārī, operāt-, from opera, work; see op- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Operate

Op"er*ate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Operated; p. pr. & vb. n. Operating.] [L. operatus, p. p. of operari to work, fr. opus, operis, work, labor; akin to Skr. apas, and also to G. ["u]ben to exercise, OHG. uoben, Icel. ?fa. Cf. Inure, Maneuver, Ure.]

1. To perform a work or labor; to exert power or strengh, physical or mechanical; to act.

2. To produce an appropriate physical effect; to issue in the result designed by nature; especially (Med.), to take appropriate effect on the human system.

3. To act or produce effect on the mind; to exert moral power or influence.

The virtues of private persons operate but on a few. --Atterbury.

A plain, convincing reason operates on the mind both of a learned and ignorant hearer as long as they live. --Swift.

4. (Surg.) To perform some manual act upon a human body in a methodical manner, and usually with instruments, with a view to restore soundness or health, as in amputation, lithotomy, etc.

5. To deal in stocks or any commodity with a view to speculative profits. [Brokers' Cant]

Operate

Op"er*ate\, v. t. 1. To produce, as an effect; to cause.

The same cause would operate a diminution of the value of stock. --A. Hamilton.

2. To put into, or to continue in, operation or activity; to work; as, to operate a machine.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : operate
Spanish: funcionar,
German: arbeiten,
Japanese: 操作する
More Translations »

operate 
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).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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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>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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operate op·er·ate (ŏp'ə-rāt')
v. op·er·at·ed, op·er·at·ing, op·er·ates
To perform surgery.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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