OPERATE Copy link • OPERATETo 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.).