Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Operate \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]

Operate \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.

Source : WordNet®

operate
     v 1: direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.; "She is
          running a relief operation in the Sudan" [syn: {run}]
     2: perform as expected when applied; "The washing machine won't
        go unless it's plugged in"; "Does this old car still run
        well?"; "This old radio doesn't work anymore" [syn: {function},
         {work}, {go}, {run}] [ant: {malfunction}]
     3: handle and cause to function; "do not operate machinery
        after imbibing alcohol"; "control the lever" [syn: {control}]
     4: perform a movement in military or naval tactics in order to
        secure an advantage in attack or defense [syn: {manoeuver},
         {maneuver}, {manoeuvre}]
     5: happen; "What is going on in the minds of the people?"
     6: keep engaged; "engaged the gears" [syn: {engage}, {mesh}, {lock}]
        [ant: {disengage}]
     7: perform surgery on; "The doctors operated ont he patient but
        failed to save his life" [syn: {operate on}]