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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

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.
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3. To act or produce effect on the mind; to exert moral power
or influence.
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The virtues of private persons operate but on a few.
--Atterbury.
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A plain, convincing reason operates on the mind both
of a learned and ignorant hearer as long as they
live. --Swift.
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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.
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5. To deal in stocks or any commodity with a view to
speculative profits. [Brokers' Cant]
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operating \operating\ adj.
1. pr. p. of {operate}; as, the operating conditions of the
oxidation pond.
[WordNet 1.5]

2. having an effect or influence.

Syn: at work(predicate), in operation, operant.
[WordNet 1.5]