Category:Operate

Op"er*ate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Operated; p. pr. & vb. n. Operating.] Etym: [l. operatus, p.p. of operari to work, fr. opus, operis, work, Labor; akin to skr. apas, and also to g. üben to exercise, ohg. Uoben, icel. . 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.)

Defn: 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.