OPERATE

verb (-ated; -ating) 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 to perform a function ; exert power or influence , to produce an appropriate effect , 3. to perform an operation or a series of operations, to perform surgery, to carry on a military or naval action or mission, to follow a course of conduct that is often irregular , transitive verb bring about , effect , 2. to cause to function ; work , to put or keep in operation, to perform an operation on