operate

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.
  2. verb perform as expected when applied
  3. verb handle and cause to function

Etymology

From Latin operātus, perfect passive participle of operor (“to work, labor, toil, have effect”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix).

In classic literature

Synonyms

run

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