Hypertext Webster Gateway: "operate"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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]
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
operate
v 1: direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.; "She is
running a relief operation in the Sudan" [syn: {run}]
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},
{work}, {go}, {run}] [ant: {malfunction}]
3: handle and cause to function; "do not operate machinery
after imbibing alcohol"; "control the lever" [syn: {control}]
4: perform a movement in military or naval tactics in order to
secure an advantage in attack or defense [syn: {maneuver},
{manoeuvre}]
5: happen; "What is going on in the minds of the people?"
6: keep engaged; "engaged the gears" [syn: {engage}, {mesh}, {lock}]
[ant: {disengage}]
7: perform surgery on; "The doctors operated ont he patient but
failed to save his life" [syn: {operate on}]
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