operate
[ op-uh-reyt ]
/ ˈɒp əˌreɪt /
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verb (used without object), op·er·at·ed, op·er·at·ing.
verb (used with object), op·er·at·ed, op·er·at·ing.
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Origin of operate
First recorded in 1600–10; from Late Latin operātus, past participle of operārī, -āre “to work, be efficacious, effect, produce,” Latin: “to busy oneself,” verbal derivative of opera effort, work, akin to opus “work”; see -ate1
OTHER WORDS FROM operate
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use operate in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for operate
operate
/ (ˈɒpəˌreɪt) /
verb
Word Origin for operate
C17: from Latin operāri to work
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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