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. üben 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.
