Definition of operate

• v. i. - To perform a work or labor; to exert power or strengh, physical or mechanical; to act.
• v. i. - To produce an appropriate physical effect; to issue in the result designed by nature; especially (Med.), to take appropriate effect on the human system.
• v. i. - To act or produce effect on the mind; to exert moral power or influence.
• v. i. - 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.
• v. i. - To deal in stocks or any commodity with a view to speculative profits.
• v. t. - To produce, as an effect; to cause.
• v. t. - To put into, or to continue in, operation or activity; to work; as, to operate a machine.