v.
Pronunciation: ' ä-p ə - ˌ r ā t, ' ä- ˌ pr ā t
Function: verb
Inflected Form: -at · ed ; -at · ing
Etymology: Latin operatus, past participle of operari to work, from oper-, opus work; akin to Old English efnan to perform, Sanskrit apas work
Date: 1588
intransitive verb
1 : to perform a function : exert power or influence <factors operating against our success>
2 : to produce an appropriate effect <the drug operated quickly>
3 a : to perform an operation or a series of operations b : to perform surgery c : to carry on a military or naval action or mission
4 : to follow a course of conduct that is often irregular <crooked gamblers operating in the club>
transitive verb
1 : BRING ABOUT , EFFECT
2 a : to cause to function : WORK b : to put or keep in operation
3 : to perform an operation on especially : to perform surgery on