He tried to operate on his watch and ruined it.
•Todd operated on the door lock and fixed it.
2. to function or conduct business on a certain principle or assumption. •The company has always operated on the theory that the customer is always right.
•Sam operates on the assumption that everyone is out to get him.
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
operate — op|e|rate W2S3 [ˈɔpəreıt US ˈa:p ] v ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(machine)¦ 2¦(business/organization)¦ 3¦(system/process/service)¦ 4¦(medical)¦ 5¦(work)¦ 6¦(soldiers/police)¦ 7 operate as something 8¦(laws/principles)¦ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ [Date: 1600 1700; : Latin; … Dictionary of contemporary English
operate — op‧e‧rate [ˈɒpəreɪt ǁ ˈɑː ] verb 1. [transitive] to use and control a machine or equipment: • the software necessary to operate the machine 2. [intransitive] MANUFACTURING if a machine, factory etc operates in a particular way, it works in that… … Financial and business terms
operate — I verb accomplish, achieve, act, act upon, administer, administrate, assume responsibility, attain, bring about, caretake, carry into execution, carry on, carry out, cause, command, conduct, control, deal with, direct, discharge, do, drive,… … Law dictionary
operate — op|er|ate [ apə,reıt ] verb *** ▸ 1 equipment: work ▸ 2 organization: work ▸ 3 make medical cut in body ▸ 4 system: be available ▸ 5 rule: have effect ▸ 6 do something in a particular way 1. ) intransitive if equipment operates, it works and does … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
operate */*/*/ — UK [ˈɒpəreɪt] / US [ˈɑpəˌreɪt] verb Word forms operate : present tense I/you/we/they operate he/she/it operates present participle operating past tense operated past participle operated 1) a) [intransitive] if equipment operates, it works and… … English dictionary
operate — verb 1 MACHINE a) (T) to use and control a machine or equipment: If affected by drowsiness, do not drive or operate heavy machinery. | instructions for operating the central heating b) (intransitive always + adv/prep) if a machine operates in a… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
operate — [[t]ɒ̱pəreɪt[/t]] ♦ operates, operating, operated 1) V ERG If you operate a business or organization, you work to keep it running properly. If a business or organization operates, it carries out its work. [V n] Until his death in 1986 Greenwood… … English dictionary
operate*/*/*/ — [ˈɒpəˌreɪt] verb 1) [I/T] if equipment operates, or if you operate it, you use or control it and it works in the way it should The equipment was not operating properly.[/ex] The motor operates at very high speeds.[/ex] Do not operate machinery… … Dictionary for writing and speaking English
operate — / ɒpəreɪt/ verb 1. to be in force ● The new terms of service will operate from January 1st. ● The rules operate on inland postal services only. 2. to make something work or function ♦ to operate a machine to make a machine work ● He is learning… … Marketing dictionary in english
operate on — verb perform surgery on The doctors operated on the patient but failed to save his life • Syn: ↑operate • Derivationally related forms: ↑operative (for: ↑operate), ↑operation ( … Useful english dictionary
attempt to operate — Something less than the actual putting of the vehicle in motion. 7 Am J2d Auto § 256 … Ballentine's law dictionary
