Operate word meaning and definition

[verb] perform surgery on; "The doctors operated ont he patient but failed to save his life"
[verb] happen; "What is going on in the minds of the people?"
[verb] perform a movement in military or naval tactics in order to secure an advantage in attack or defense
[verb] handle and cause to function; "do not operate machinery after imbibing alcohol"; "control the lever"
[verb] keep engaged; "engaged the gears"
[verb] perform as expected when applied; "The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in"; "Does this old car still run well?"; "This old radio doesn't work anymore"
[verb] direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.; "She is running a relief operation in the Sudan"

\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]
\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.

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