GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Operate , 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. üben to exercise, OHG. uoben, Icel. æfa. Cf. Inure, Maneuver, Ure.]
   To perform a work or labor; to exert power or strength, physical or mechanical; to act.
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   To produce an appropriate physical effect; to issue in the result designed by nature; especially (Med.), to take appropriate effect on the human system.
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   To act or produce effect on the mind; to exert moral power or influence.
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   The virtues of private persons operate but on a few.
   Atterbury.
   
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   A plain, convincing reason operates on the mind both of a learned and ignorant hearer as long as they live.
   Swift.
   
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   (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.
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   To deal in stocks or any commodity with a view to speculative profits. [Brokers' Cant]
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2.       
   Operate, v. t.
   To produce, as an effect; to cause.
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   The same cause would operate a diminution of the value of stock.
   A. Hamilton.
   
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   To put into, or to continue in, operation or activity; to work; as, to operate a machine.
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