operate English · revision 4790

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=back-formation|attested=1606|origins=la operari}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈɒp.ər.eɪt/, US /ˈɑː.pər.eɪt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is probably a back-formation [[der|en|operation]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) reinforced by [[la|operātus|alt=operātus]], past participle of operārī “to work, labour”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) in Late Latin “to have effect, be active”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from opus, operis “work”,^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) the source of [[opus]] and [[opera]].^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To be at work, to exert force or influence, to produce an effect: 1606 in the OED and Barnhart, in Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida, or about 1600 in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Of medicines, to take effect, is from 1706.^(OED 1989) The surgical sense, to perform an operation on a patient, is from 1799,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and of armies and fleets, to carry on operations, from 1808.^(OED 1989) To deal in stocks and shares is from 1859,^(OED 1989) and to work a machine is from 1864 in American English.^(Etymonline) The transitive sense, to manage or run a business, was originally American, from the 19th century.^(Hoad 1986) An ''operating system'' in computing is from 1961.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1606 – to be at work, have effect.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1706 – of drugs, to take effect.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1799 – to perform surgery.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1808 – to carry on military operations.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1864 – to work a machine.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1961 – ''operating system''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To work or [[function]], or to make a [[machine]] work.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To run or manage a business or organization.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To perform [[surgery]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To have an effect or be in force.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of armed forces, to carry out [[military]] action.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[operatable]]

+ * [[coin-operated]]

+ * [[reoperate]]

+ * [[operating room]]

+ * [[operating system]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[cooperate]]

+ * [[opera]]

+ * [[operable]]

+ * [[operand]]

+ * [[operant]]

+ * [[operation]]

+ * [[operational]]

+ * [[operative]]

+ * [[operator]]

+ * [[opus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}