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operate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Operated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Operating.] [L. operatus, p. p. of operari to
| 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. ben to exercise, OHG. uoben, Icel. <ae/fa. Cf. Inure, Maneuver, Ure.] 1. To perform a work or labor; to exert power or strength, physical or mechanical; to act. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
3. To act or produce effect on the mind; to exert moral power or influence. [1913 Webster]
-The virtues of private persons operate but on a few. Atterbury. [1913 Webster]
-A plain, convincing reason operates on the mind both of a learned and ignorant hearer as long as they live. Swift. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
5. To deal in stocks or any commodity with a view to speculative profits. [Brokers' Cant] [1913 Webster] |
| operate | , v. t. 1. To produce, as an effect; to cause. [1913 Webster]
-The same cause would operate a diminution of the value of stock. A. Hamilton. [1913 Webster]
2. To put into, or to continue in, operation or activity; to work; as, to operate a machine. [1913 Webster]
{ Op`er*at"ic (?), Op`er*at"ic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to the opera or to operas; characteristic of, suitable for, or resembling, the opera; as, an operatic voice. [1913 Webster +PJC] |
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