operate
To perform a work or labour; to exert power or strength, physical or mechanical; to act.
Verb 4 meanings
To perform a work or labour; to exert power or strength, physical or mechanical; to act.
“Could someone explain how this meeting operates?”
To produce an effect.
To bring about as an effect; to cause.
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.
“The surgeon had to operate on her heart.”
Etymology
From Latin operātus, perfect passive participle of operor (“to work, labor, toil, have effect”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix).
OPERATE at a glance
OPERATE has 7 letters and scores 9 points in Scrabble (O 1 + P 3 + E 1 + R 1 + A 1 + T 1 + E 1) and 10 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #2,950 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with operate
All rhymesOne letter away
- OVERATE10
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