English → Latin
“operate” in Latin
valeōto have strength, influence, power; to avail; to be well, healthy, sound; to be worth, be worthysecōto cut, cut off; to cleave, divide; to operate, amputate, perform surgeryadhibeōto extend, hold out; to attend (to), handle, look after; to apply, adopt, employ
The English word operate itself goes back to Latin opus, through operātus.
Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864
operate
To act, facere, efficere aliquid: valere: vim habere: to operate beneficially, boni aliquid efficere.
In surgery, secare: scalpellum admovere or adhibere (with dative of person or part operated upon): to operate for the eyes, *secando mederi suffusioni oculorum.
Of medicine; to work, efficacem esse, effectu esse, erga aliquem: the medicine operates, concipitur venis medicamentum (Curt.): the medicine will not operate, medicamentum imbecillius est, quam morbus: to operate in the same manner (of medicine), eosdem effectus praestare: so powerfully did the medicine operate, tanta vis medicaminis fuit (Curt.).
Quick answer
- What is the Latin word for operate?
- The usual Latin words for “operate” are valeō, secō, adhibeō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.
Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.