operate

/'ɔpəreit/

Thân thiện

A surgeon operates on a patient in a modern hospital.

Definition

1. Verb (Transitive):

   • To cause (a machine, system, or process) to function or work.
   • To control the functioning of (a business, organization, or project).
   • To perform a surgical procedure on (a person or part of the body).

2. Verb (Intransitive):

   • To function or work in a proper or particular way.
   • To produce a desired effect; to be in action.
   • To carry on military, naval, or business activities.

Usage and Examples

• Transitive Verb:

  • Do not operate heavy machinery while drowsy. (Cause to function)
  • She operates a successful charity. (Controls a business/project)
  • The surgeon will operate the patient tomorrow. (Perform surgery on)

• Intransitive Verb:

  • The elevator is not operating. (Functioning)
  • The new law operates to protect consumers. (Produces an effect)
  • The company operates in over thirty countries. (Carries on business)

Advanced Usage

• "to operate on/upon":

  • To perform a surgical procedure. The doctor had to operate on his heart.
  • To exert an influence. Several factors operated upon their decision.

• "to operate under":

  • To function while being subject to specific conditions or assumptions. The team is operating under a tight deadline.

Variants and Related Words

• Operation (n): The action or process of operating.
  • The operation of the factory is very efficient.
• Operative (adj): Functioning; having effect.
  • The old rule is no longer operative.
• Operator (n): A person who operates equipment or a business.
  • He is a skilled machine operator.

Synonyms

• Function: To work or operate in a particular way.
• Run: To manage or operate.
• Work: To function or cause to function.
• Manage: To be in charge of and operate a business.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Operate on/upon: (As defined in Advanced Usage).
• Operate as: To function in the capacity of.

Related Idioms

• In operation: Functioning or being used.
• Bring/put into operation: To start using something; to make something functional.

Học thuật

Verb

1. perform surgery on
   • The doctors operated on the patient but failed to save his life
2. keep engaged
   • engaged the gears
3. happen
   • What is going on in the minds of the people?
4. perform a movement in military or naval tactics in order to secure an advantage in attack or defense
5. handle and cause to function
   • do not operate machinery after imbibing alcohol
   • control the lever
6. 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
7. direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.
   • She is running a relief operation in the Sudan

Từ đồng nghĩa

• operate on
• engage
• mesh
• lock
• manoeuver
• maneuver
• manoeuvre
• control
• function
• work
• go
• run