operator
English meaning: Operator
Definition
One who operates.
Example
“The crane operator carefully lowered the steel beam into place.”
Another example: “In the equation, the plus sign is the operator that adds the two terms.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A neutral noun for one who runs a machine, system, or business ('a tour operator', 'a phone operator'), and in mathematics or logic a symbol denoting an operation. Colloquially, 'a smooth operator' is someone shrewd or manipulative.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'operator' (worker), from 'operari' (to work), from 'opus' (work); entered English in the 16th century, with the machine and mathematical senses developing later.
Synonyms
- controller
- handler
- manager
- technician
Related Words
Common Collocations
- network operator
- tour operator
- machine operator
- smooth operator
- switchboard operator
- mobile operator
Word Forms
operate (v); operated; operating; operator (n); operation (n)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B