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operate |
3 definitions found 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 1.6 [wn]: operate v 1: direct or control; of machinery, projects, businesses, etc [syn: {run}] 2: function properly; "The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in" [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: ferment; "What is working in the minds of the people?" [syn: {work}] 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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