frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

operates even under water. The drug operates to reduce blood
pressure. 2 manage, run, direct, conduct, control, carry on,
ply, manipulate, handle; US drive: Katherine has been operating
as an antiques dealer for years. It is unsafe to operate this
machinery without goggles.
operation n. 1 function, functioning, working, running, performance,
action, motion, movement: The operation of the internal
combustion engine is very simple. 2 manipulation, handling,
direction, running, control, management, managing; manoeuvring:
The operation of the aircraft is under the control of the
captain. 3 undertaking, enterprise, venture, project, affair,
deal, procedure, proceeding, (day-to-day) business, transaction:
Who will be in charge of the operation while the president is
abroad? 4 Often, operations. action, manoeuvre, mission, task,
campaign, exercise: The generals directed military operations
from positions close to enemy lines. 5 in or into operation.
functioning, operative, in effect, in force, operating,
operational, functional, effective, efficacious: Is the factory
in operation yet? The new regulations went into operation last
week.
operative adj. 1 See operation, 5, above.
--n. 2 worker, hand, employee; craftsman, craftswoman, artisan,
mechanic, machinist: We hired two more lathe operatives today.
3 private detective, (private) investigator, Colloq private eye,
sleuth, Brit sleuth-hound, US P.I., gumshoe, Slang (private)
dick, US shamus, eye: Our operatives reported that Jones had
been seen in the company of a known enemy agent. 4 espionage or
intelligence agent, counter-espionage or counter-intelligence
agent, spy, counter-spy, undercover agent or man, (FBI or CIA)
agent, US G-man, Colloq US company man, member of the firm: We
had an operative at the top level of the NKVD.
operator n. 1 (bus or taxi or train) driver; worker, operative,
manipulator, practitioner: These operators are required to take
safety courses. 2 director, administrator, manager, supervisor,
superintendent: Shaughnessey is the operator of a roofing
business in Tring. 3 machinator, faker, fraud, manipulator,
manoeuvrer, Colloq finagler, wise guy, Slang smooth or slick
operator, smoothie, wheeler-dealer, big-shot, big-time operator,
Chiefly US and Canadian big wheel: Claude is a cunning operator