\Op"er*ate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Operated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Operating}.] [L. operatus, p. p. of operari to work,
fr. opus, operis, work, labor; akin to Skr. apas, and also to
G. ["u]ben to exercise, OHG. uoben, Icel. ?fa. Cf. {Inure},
{Maneuver}, {Ure}.]
1. To perform a work or labor; to exert power or strengh,
   physical or mechanical; to act.
2. To produce an appropriate physical effect; to issue in the
   result designed by nature; especially (Med.), to take
   appropriate effect on the human system.
3. To act or produce effect on the mind; to exert moral power
   or influence.
         The virtues of private persons operate but on a few.
                                               --Atterbury.
         A plain, convincing reason operates on the mind both
         of a learned and ignorant hearer as long as they
         live.                                 --Swift.
4. (Surg.) 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.
5. To deal in stocks or any commodity with a view to
   speculative profits. [Brokers' Cant]

\Op"er*ate\, v. t.
1. To produce, as an effect; to cause.
         The same cause would operate a diminution of the
         value of stock.                       --A. Hamilton.
2. To put into, or to continue in, operation or activity; to
   work; as, to operate a machine.