Meaning

• To perform a work or labour; to exert power or strength, physical or mechanical; to act.

• To produce an appropriate physical effect; to issue in the result designed by nature; especially to take appropriate effect on the human system.

• To act or produce effect on the mind; to exert moral power or influence.

• 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.

• To deal in stocks or any commodity with a view to speculative profits.

• To produce, as an effect; to cause.

• To put into, or to continue in, operation or activity; to work.

  "to operate a machine"