OPERATE
manoeuver, maneuver, manoeuvre, operate
(verb) perform a movement in military or naval tactics in order to secure an advantage in attack or defense
operate, control
(verb) handle and cause to function; “do not operate machinery after imbibing alcohol”; “control the lever”
engage, mesh, lock, operate
(verb) keep engaged; “engaged the gears”
function, work, operate, go, run
(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”
operate, run
(verb) direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.; “She is running a relief operation in the Sudan”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Verb
operate (third-person singular simple present operates, present participle operating, simple past and past participle operated)
(transitive or intransitive) To perform a work or labour; to exert power or strength, physical or mechanical; to act.
(transitive or intransitive) To produce an appropriate physical effect; to issue in the result designed by nature; especially (medicine) to take appropriate effect on the human system.
(transitive or intransitive) To act or produce effect on the mind; to exert moral power or influence.
(medicine, transitive or intransitive) 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.
(transitive or intransitive) To deal in stocks or any commodity with a view to speculative profits.
(transitive or intransitive) To produce, as an effect; to cause.
(transitive or intransitive) To put into, or to continue in, operation or activity; to work.
Source: Wiktionary
Op"er*ate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Operated; p. pr. & vb. n. Operating.]
Etym: [L. operatus, p.p. of operari to work, fr. opus, operis, work,
labor; akin to Skr. apas, and also to G. ĂĽben to exercise, OHG.
uoben, Icel. . 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.)
Definition: 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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition