Definition of "operation"

operation

/ˌɒp.əˈɹeɪ.ʃən/

noun
countable and uncountable, plural operations
1. The method by which a device performs its function.
2. The method or practice by which actions are done.
3. The act or process of operating; agency; the exertion of power, physical, mechanical, or moral.
  Quotations
  the pain and sickness caused by manna are confessedly nothing but the effects of its operations on the stomach and guts.
  1689 (indicated as 1690), [John Locke], chapter 2, in An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding. […], London: […] Eliz[abeth] Holt, for Thomas Basset, […], book I, page 8
  Speculative painting, without the assistance of manual operation, can never attain to perfection.
  1695, C[harles] A[lphonse] du Fresnoy, translated by John Dryden, De Arte Graphica. The Art of Painting, […], London: […] J[ohn] Heptinstall for W. Rogers, […]
4. A planned undertaking.
5. A business or organization.
6. (medicine) A surgical procedure.
  Quotations
  This done, ſhe performs the very ſame Operation on the other Side of the Cock's Body, and there takes out the other Stone; then ſhe ſtitches up the Wounds, and lets the Fowl go about as at other Times, till the Capon is fatted in a Coup, which is commonly done from Chriſtmas to Candlemas, and after.
  1750, W[illiam] Ellis, The Country Housewife's Family Companion […] , London: James Hodges; B. Collins, page 157
7. (computing, logic, mathematics) A procedure for generating a value from one or more other values (the operands);(mathematics, more formally) a function which maps zero or more (but typically two) operands to a single output value.
8. (military) A military campaign (e.g. Operation Desert Storm)
9. (obsolete) Effect produced; influence.
  Quotations
  The bards […] had great operation on the vulgar.The spelling has been modernized.
  1655, Thomas Fuller, edited by James Nichols, The Church History of Britain, […], new edition, volumes (please specify |volume=I to III), London: […] [James Nichols] for Thomas Tegg and Son, […], published 1837

Definition of "operation"

operation

noun

Quotations

Quotations

Quotations