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. uben to exercise, OHG. uoben, Icel. fa. Cf. Inure, Maneuver, Ure.]
1.
To perform a work or labor; to exert power or strength, 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]
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.