I.v. dep. n. [opus], to work, labor, toil, take pains; to be busied (not in Cic. or Cæs.).— Constr. absol. or with dat.
I. Lit.
A. In gen.
(α).
Absol.: “seniores (apes) intus operantur,” Plin. 11, 10, 10, § 21: “servi, qui operari in agro consueverunt,” Dig. 28, 5, 35. —
(β).
With dat., to bestow pains upon a thing; to devote one's self to, be engaged in or occupied with a thing (mostly poet. and in post-Aug. prose): “reipublicae,” Liv. 4, 60, 2: “conubiis arvisque novis operari,” Verg. A. 3, 136: “ornandis capillis,” Ov. Am. 2, 7, 23: “in cute curandā,” Hor. Ep. 1, 2, 29: “textis Minervae, Tib 2, 1, 65: materiis caedendis,” Tac. H. 5, 20: “studiis litterarum,” id. A. 3, 43: “scholae,” Quint. 10, 3, 13; Suet. Claud. 19: “auditioni in scholis,” Plin. 26, 2, 6, § 11; Val. Max. 8, 7, 4 ext.: “rebus domesticis,” Col. 12, 4, 3: “reipublicae,” Dig. 48, 5, 15.—
B. In partic., in relig. lang., to serve the gods, perform sacred rites, to honor or celebrate by sacrifices (for which: “operam dare rebus divinis,” Cic. Leg. 2, 11, 26): “operari est deos religiose et cum summā veneratione sacrificiis litare,” Non. 523, 9; Pompon. ap. Non. 523, 13: “illum Dianae sanctum diem,” Afran. ib. 14: “sacra refer Cereri laetis operatus (= sacrificans) in herbis,” Verg. G. 1, 339; cf.: “Cynthia jam noctes est operata decem,” Prop. 2, 33, 2 (3, 31, 2); and: “mulier justis operata sacris, Hor C. 3, 14, 6: sacris,” Liv. 1, 31, 8: “superstitionibus,” id. 10, 39, 2: “viditque se operatum, et sanguine sacro respersa praetexta,” Tac. A. 2, 14. Vesta, fave: “tibi nunc operata resolvimus ora,” the mouth devoted to thee, Ov. F. 6, 249: “janua matutinis operatur festa lucernis,” Juv. 12, 92.—
II. Transf.
1. To work, have effect, be effectual, to be active, to operate (post-class.): “nihil denique praetermitteret, quod ad crudelitatem videretur operari,” to be effectual, Capitol. Maxim. 13: “ad sui dispendium,” to avail, Cod. Just. 5, 12, 7: “venenum operatur,” operates, Lampr. Commod. 17.—
2. Act. (eccl. Lat.)
(α).
To work, carry into effect, administer: “justi tiam,” Lact. 6, 12, 38; 6, 13, 4; 6, 24, 4: “scelus,” Vulg. Lev. 20, 12: “miracula,” Ambros. in Luc. 4, § 47.—
(β).
To work, produce by working, cause: “in vobis sollicitudinem,” Vulg. 2 Cor. 7, 11: “mortem,” id. ib. 7, 10: “gloriae pondus,” id. ib. 4, 17: “opera,” id. Joan. 9, 4.— Hence,
A. ŏpĕrans , antis, P. a., active, efficient, effectual (post-Aug.): “operantes apes spectare,” Plin. 21, 14, 47, § 80.—Comp.: “bonitas operantior,” Tert. adv. Marc. 2, 4.— Neutr. adv.: “aridas vaporationes operantius mederi quam cataplasmata,” Cael. Aur. Acut. 3, 8, 89.—Sup.: “clysteres adhibere operantissimos,” Cael. Aur. Acut. 2, 39.—
B. ŏpĕrātus , a, um, P. a.
1. Pass., performed, effected (eccl. Lat.): “tot charismata perperam operata,” Tert. Praescr. 29.—