- Operated
- 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. [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]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
