operate
Use Operate in a sentence
əˌreɪt 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 followed 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, especially 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.
00:10
Operate
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is yaff. Does it mean:
| to bark; yelp. |
| to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable. |
Origin:
1600–10; < Late Latin operātus, 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
1600–10; < Late Latin operātus, 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.
un·op·er·at·a·ble, adjective
un·op·er·at·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To operate
Collins
World English Dictionary
operate (ˈɒpəˌreɪt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb (usually foll by on) | |
| 1. | to function or cause to function |
| 2. | (tr) to control the functioning of: operate a machine |
| 3. | to manage, direct, run, or pursue (a business, system, etc) |
| 4. | (intr) to perform a surgical operation (upon a person or animal) |
| 5. | (intr) to produce a desired or intended effect |
| 6. | to treat or process in a particular or specific way |
| 7. | (intr) to conduct military or naval operations |
| 8. | (intr) to deal in securities on a stock exchange |
| [C17: from Latin operāri to work] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
operate
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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
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.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
Scientists operate mostly in disciplinary silos, and it is rare for research in one field to influence work in other disciplines.
So the team set out to identify which of the few genes that operate primarily in bone cells are linked to glucose metabolism.
Twenty tour boats operate on the lakes, sailing past steep, wooded hillsides and historic homes and villages.
Of course economic trouble could result if no reactors operate but nothing is done instead.
Matching Quote
Nearby Words
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
