Webster's English Dictionary

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operate

op.er.ate \'a:p-(*-).ra-t\ vb [L operatus, pp. of operari to work, fr. 
   oper-, opus wo]rk; akin to OE efnan to perform, Skt apas work 1: to perform 
   a work or labor : FUNCTION  2: to produce an appropriate effect  3a: to 
   perform an operation or series of operations  3b: to perform surgery  3c: 
   to carry on a military or naval action or mission  1: to bring about : 
   EFFECT  2a: to cause to function : WORK  2b: to put or keep in operation : 
   MANAGE  3: to perform surgery on