operate

Where does the word "operate" come from? It comes from Latin opus, passing through Latin before entering English (1600s).

Operate’s story begins in Latin: opus meant “work.” The root of 'opera', 'opus' and 'cooperate'. Within Latin, it grew into operari by ancient. The root of 'opera', 'operation' and 'cooperate'. It reached English by 1600s as operate. Settled as the English word for functioning or controlling a machine or process. Today, operate means to function or work, or to control and manage a machine, process, or business.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient opus "work", the root of 'opera', 'opus' and 'cooperate'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient operari "to work, to labor", the root of 'opera', 'operation' and 'cooperate'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s operate "to function, or to control a machine or process", settled as the English word for functioning or controlling a machine or process.