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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