operate
UK: ˈɒpəreɪt | US: ˈɑːpəreɪt
vt. to control or manage the functioning of a machine, system, or organization
vi. to perform a surgical procedure
vi. to function or work in a specified way
operate = oper<work> + ate<verb suffix>
- oper (from Latin operari, meaning "to work, labor")
- ate (a verb-forming suffix in English, indicating action or process)
Etymology Origin:
The word "operate" traces back to the Latin operari ("to work"), derived from opus ("work, task"). It entered English via Late Latin operatus (past participle of operari) and Old French operer. The suffix "-ate" was added to form the verb, aligning with English patterns for action verbs (e.g., "create," "navigate"). The term initially referred to general labor or effort but later specialized to mechanical/surgical contexts (18th–19th centuries).
The surgeon will operate on the patient tomorrow morning.
This machine operates at high efficiency.
The company operates in over 30 countries.
He learned how to operate the new software quickly.
The law will operate retroactively.