Search the Dictionary

An instrument or machine for measuring work done, especially for ascertaining the number of rotations made by a machine or wheel in manufacturing cloth; a counter. Ure.

The act of operating or working; operation. [R.]

The symbol, quantity, or thing upon which a mathematical operation is performed; -- called also faciend.

Operative. [R.] Shak. -- n.

e effect on the mind; to exert moral power or influence. The virtues of private persons operate but on a few. Atterbury. A plain, convincing reason operates on the mind both of a learned and ignorant hearer as long as they live. Swift.

Of or pertaining to the opera or to operas; characteristic of, or resembling, the opera.

The act or process of operating; agency; the exertion of power, physical, mechanical, or moral. The pain and sickness caused by manna are the effects of its operation on the stomach. Locke. Speculative painting, without the assistance of manual operation, can never attain to perfection. Dryden.

; hence, exerting force, physical or moral; active in the production of effects; as, an operative motive. It holds in all operative principles. South.

In an operative manner.

One who, or that which, operates or produces an effect.

A laboratory. [Obs.]

To pledge; to pawn. [Obs.] Bacon.

Capable of being ordered; tractable. [R.] Being very orderable in all his sickness. Fuller.

An extinct genus of Paleozoic Cephalopoda, having a long, straight, conical shell. The interior is divided into numerous chambers by transverse septa.

An orthoceras; also, any fossil shell allied to Orthoceras.

An order of mandibulate insects including grasshoppers, locusts, cockroaches, etc. See Illust. under Insect.

One of the Orthoptera.

To exceed in generalship; to gain advantage over by superior military skill or executive ability; to outmaneuver. Chesterfield.

To be exceedingly plenty or superabundant. Pope.

To act or perform to excess; to exaggerate in acting; as, he overacted his part.