Nearby Words
adjective
1.
used or engaged in performing operations: an operating surgeon.
2.
of, for, or pertaining to operations: an operating budget.
3.
of or pertaining to the proper operation of a machine, appliance, etc.: a manual of operating instructions.
4.
Railroads. of, pertaining, or belonging to railroad workers, as engineers or firemen, who are directly engaged in the mechanical operation of trains: an operating union.
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Operating
is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
Dictionary.com Unabridged
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.
EXPANDSurgery. 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.
COLLAPSEInformal. 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; < 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), -at·ed, -at·ing.
re·op·er·ate, verb (used with object), -at·ed, -at·ing.
un·op·er·at·a·ble, adjective
un·op·er·at·ed, adjective
EXPANDwell-op·er·at·ed, adjective
COLLAPSE
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To operating
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
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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.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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